Spring Summer 2023 showcase of Indian Couture by Styleograph is bringing to the city fresh fashion by Kunal Rawal and Arpita Mehta and designs by Raniwala 1881. Ahead of the showcase at ITC Royal Bengal, Kunal and Arpita, the fashionable designer duo and now man and wife, shot a couple of looks, exclusively for The Telegraph. Thank you, Arpita and Kunal! They also told us what they are getting to the city and more.
(l-r) Arpita Mehta, Chikky Goenka, style curator, Kunal Rawal
Arpita Mehta
Getting to Calcutta... Since it’s summer and we’ve just launched our new collection at Lakme Fashion Week partnered by FDCI, we’ll be getting our key pieces from the show as well as our favourite silhouettes such as printed and solid ruffle saris, heavier dressy saris, shararas, tiered skirts and our super easy-breezy cape sets. The colour palette includes pastels to bold solids and we also will be bringing along our signature floral prints. Shooting with Kunal... It’s always fun shooting with Kunal, his energy is pretty infectious, and it’s a riot! Favourite things to do in Calcutta... I’ll actually be coming to Calcutta after very, very long time, so I’m looking forward to exploring the city, but most importantly I’m looking forward to some great street food. I’ve heard Calcutta is known for that.
Chikky Goenka, style curator
It’s been some time since I curated a couture show. And, I wanted to start the season with something exciting and refreshing. I’m trying to bring distinct aesthetics together every season, hoping to offer more than usual for festive/ Indian wedding shoppers. To me, both of these designers bring a unique sensibility to the table. Arpita’s clothes are dainty, flirty, and glam, I would say millennial and Gen Z. Whereas, Kunal’s clothes demand attention. Rich texturing, layering, reimagining old-school trends. It’s transformational in the school of Indian menswear category.
Also, they make a powerful couple, and people love to see them together. They themselves know what today’s bride and groom like. I mean, given the fact their wedding broke the Internet! So I’m excited that it’s for the very first time these two are showcasing their talent under the same roof.
Raniwala 1881 is one of the forerunners in defining the trends in polki jewellery. They have been a part of the shift in how brides and families embrace jewellery and have crafted a niche. Calcutta loves them, and they come with a lot of credibility and trust. We’ll see big statement pieces that are minimal but impactful. Ideal for summer weddings or as collectibles.
Kunal Rawal
Getting to Calcutta... We are coming with our springsummer ’23 couture line of kurtas, kurta shirts, bundis, bandhgalas and sherwani and deconstructed jacket sets. This will be the first time we are showcasing this capsule and I am eager to see the response to the introduction of this colour story for the season. In addition to this we’re getting our Kunal Rawal couture classic groomwear lines and my favourite runway looks from ‘Continuum’ and ‘Dear Men’, our two presentations for the season. You can also see our exclusive brocade line (a collaboration with Ekaya Banaras) for the summer.
Shooting with Arpita... Shooting with Arpita is always a blast. What’s fun is that our take/ aesthetic at work and even when on a shoot are so distinctive from one another, getting both our vibes in always makes for an interesting picture.
Favourite things to do in Calcutta... Most of my past trips to Calcutta have been quick in and out. So this time, I am really looking forward to exploring the city. Calcutta is a city rich in culture, colours, flavours and tradition. And it always excites me as a designer to experience different cultures. And of course, exploring begins with local food and flavours and I can’t wait to explore all that the city has to offer.
Raniwala 1881 will be presenting Aangan, where the stories begin. Aangan is majestic, mystical and magnificent in its story. It urges you to go down a beautiful and well-kept memory lane. Aangan is where our stories begin and pave the way for us. It stems from a vivid feeling of growing up, wanting to leave; and growing old, wanting to come back. Aangan is rooted in the wholesome corridors of family love, in the nourished footsteps of togetherness and in the memory of legacy — Abhishek Raniwala & Abhiyant Raniwala.
Arpita’s wardrobe: Arpita Mehta
Kunal’s wardrobe: Kunal Rawal
Jewellery: Raniwala 1881
What: Spring Summer 2023 showcase of Indian Couture by Styleograph, featuring Arpita Mehta, Kunal Rawal and Raniwala 1881
Where: ITC Royal Bengal; Eastern Courtroom
When: March 24-25, 11am-7pm
