Designer Rimzim Dadu’s eponymous label needs no introduction. Her avant-garde, out-of-the-box aesthetic has found takers the world over, including celebrities like Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, who was once papped flaunting a signature Rimzim Dadu metal saree at Cannes in 2016.
Fast forward to 2022. As the world trudges back to normalcy, Dadu’s back with another collection titled ‘A Sea of Million Stories’—an artistic representation of the core ethos of Rimzim Dadu and the Natural Diamond Council— which signifies love and strength.
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An immersive, intimate and interactive experience: “This collection takes inspiration from natural elements around us, the ripples and waves in the sea, the texture of a river bed, the tropics and the ever-changing skies. You can expect a mixture of classics and more dramatic silhouettes. The collection includes pieces that are sculpted and yet fluid. Our mainstay, which is exploring the duality in each material, which will be seen in this collection too,” begins Dadu, who further avers how art is what inspires her. “When you buy a Rimzim Dadu piece, it’s wearable art. You can expect more of that. The collection is very much statement Rimzim Dadu—high shine metallics meeting new-age craftsmanship. And it’s not just the collection, but the entire show will be a statement on love and longing that was missing from our lives in the past two years.”
With this edit, Dadu’s signature cord technique takes shape in re-engineered material, and re-imagines cocktail dressing to create fluid yet structured forms. Hinting at how on the design front, surface texturing and reengineering is what has driven this collection, she further adds, “With hints of metallic blues & emeralds combined with sparkly silvers and pristine whites, the collection embodies rich hues and modern sculpted forms: the ultimate combination of contemporary and luxury ready-to-wear.”
Unravelling the magic of nature: As impetus behind the collection arose in the midst of protracted lockdowns, Dadu believes much of it was inspired by nature. “Lockdown helped all of us to pay attention to things we usually take for granted, like nature. So, you will see a lot of patterns inspired by foliage and the flow of water. Apart from metallic surfaces, our love for constantly creating newer textiles has given birth to some new ideas for this collection,” she says.
With an eye for the new, Dadu reiterates how experimentation with new materials is at the heart of it all. “The process of finding new materials and then experimenting with them to create unique surfaces always excites me and my team, who like to call my studio a lab!I love creating wearable fashion.”
Indians now have a globalised taste: The young designer also opines how the Indian audiences are now far accepting of new ideas and experimental fashion than ever before. “I fuse unique materials and traditional crafts to come up with pieces that people have really loved. My take on the saree in molten steel wires, pieces made of leather cords woven in Patola and Jamdani in silicone strings have excited audiences and critiques alike. People love wearing something that is truly unique but is also close to our rich textile-heritage. It really assures me that our country is evolving and experimental fashion is here to stay.”
Speaking of how the pandemic, which has upended regular ways of being, has brought about a sea-change in her design philosophy, Dadu signs off by stating, “As a designer, the break during Covid gave me a chance to reflect on my journey so far and set goals for where I want to be and how I want to get there. And to do this while staying true to my core ethos of experimenting and creating with joy.”
Keep up with everything that’s going on at Lakmé Fashion Week 2022 right here!
