Vaishali S's A/W'13 at WIFW (Magical Assam)

Mekhela Chadar (Assamese: মেখেলা চাদৰ), the traditional attire of the Assamese women was the inspiration for Vaishali S’s Autumn Winter’13 collection at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. She recreated the magic and beauty of traditional Assamese muga silk, pat and intricate hand woven ornamental design with a contemporary twist, thus bringing the region’s rich and exotic textile design story to the mainstream of Indian fashion.

Vaishali retained the unique shine and ethnic texture of the fabric in a vibrant and celebratory colour palette of orange, muga gold, blue, pink, red and green. She added the required amount of glamour and elegance to this feminine collection by mastering the fine art of beautiful and ethnic Assamese drapes and folds that unfolds to create another story. Surface texturing of wool and metallic thread added an element of contemporary fashion. Oh, yes how can I not mention the foot tapping melodious Assamese song (READ:Bihu), played in the background, that instantly transported me to the land of red river and blue hills I call my home – Assam.

On a different note, North East India is unexplored land (may be the geographical isolation) that has lot to offer in the field of art and fashion. It is indeed a positive change to see the tribe of new designers (READ: Atsu Sekhose, Vaishali S, Jenjum Gadi), going beyond their comfort zone and exploring and introducing the vibrancy of the seven sister states to the mainstream fashion. 

(Photo Credit: Wills India Fashion Week)