Traditional prints and modern cuts

Who says designer wear can be worn only by the ‘who’s who’ of the society? Started nearly two years ago, Mogra Pret brings together a host of cutting-edge yet affordable designer labels under one roof. The brand offers a range of tunics, ‘kurtis’, ‘salwar-kameez’, skirts, tees, dresses and accessories in contemporary styling to young, adventurous yet traditional women.

A riot of colour

The latest collection from ‘Mogra Pret’ comprises of a lot of traditional prints teamed with modern cuts. Anyone who enters the store is treated to a riot of colour. On one hand, there are the classic shades of black and white and on the other, one can see bright hues like yellow, green, red, blue, orange and pink. The main aim of the store is provide the customer with good designer wear at an affordable price. Some of the designer labels that the brand houses are ‘Karuna Khaitan’, ‘Change’, ‘Citrus’, ‘Taurus’, ‘Shakuntala’ and ‘Aseesa’.

The label strives to stock garments which are sure to make a style statement. “When one thinks ‘designer’, the first thing that strikes the mind are the expensive price tags and no sizes. At ‘Mogra Pret’, we have taken care of both — we have affordable prices and stock sizes ranging from small to extra large,” says Mayank Modi, the owner of ‘Mogra Pret’.
This season, he adds, it’s all about keeping it simple and elegant. The collection has many tunics, some of which sport simple but attractive work.

Others include a good play of fabrics. Keeping the season in mind, the brand has decided to go beyond chiffon; it also has many cotton kurtas and kaftans. “There is more emphasis on prints this season. There has been a lot of digital printing and alsotraditional tie-and-dye work,” adds Mayank.

When it comes to dresses, one trend which is predominant this season is the knit dress, which fits all body types. “Other trends include long maxi dresses, which can be worn either as a dress or as a kurta,” explains Mayank. The brand also has lehengas and saris. “Here, more than the bridal lehenga, we concentrate on lehengas that can be worn by the bride’s friends. So, the collection includes very lightweight and pretty lehengas and saris,” says Mayank.

Another big concern with designer wear is the fact that one can’t be spotted in the same outfit twice. But Mayank says there is a way around this as well. “Dresses can be worn as they are or teamed with leggings to give the outfit a twist. Also, the blouses for the lehengas are designed in such a way that one can wear them with a sari as well. One just has to know how to mix and match things well and make full use of the outfit,” he concludes.

Vaishnavi  Mudiyanuru, II Year, Surana College, went for a youthful look with an ‘Aseesa’ skirt, which she teamed with a black ‘Upasana’ kalamkari top. She kept the accessories very simple with a big bag, bangle and earrings.

Punchline: “I have always preferred the casual look and this outfit is very comfortable and suits me perfectly. What really stands out for me is the fit. This is definitely something that I would wear when I step out with my friends.”

Price: Top (Rs 1,150); skirt (Rs 2,499); earrings (Rs 620); bag (Rs 1,025) and bangle (Rs 600).

Namratha N, III Year, Dayanada Sagar Institutions, went for a traditional look with a pink and green ‘Aseesa’ salwar suit. Since the suit spoke for itself, Namratha didn’t over accessorise and completed the look with big earrings.

Punchline: “What I really like about my look is that it is not over the top. It is bright, simple and yet elegant. The work on the kurta is very unique and the chudi sleeves are really nice as well. I would wear this for any wedding or formal function.”

Price: Salwar suit (Rs 6,995); earrings (Rs 833) and footwear (Rs 1,975).

Kavya Rao, IV Year, Dayananda Sagar Institutions, chose to wear a Karuna
Khaitan maroon lehenga and teamed it with a sequinned blouse and dupatta. She
completed the look with big earrings and a simple bracelet.

Punchline: “Glamourous and elegant –– that’s how I feel in this look. Lehengas are known to be heavy with way too much work. But this outfit is easy to carry and strikes a good balance. I really like the collection of jewellery –– one can actually feel like a princess at the store.”

Price: Lehenga (Rs 7,995); blouse (Rs 3,500); dupatta (Rs 3,750); earrings
(Rs 5,000) and bracelet (Rs 2,500).

Megna Biddappa, I Year, St Joseph’s College of Commerce, slipped into a blue, green and black ‘Change’ dress. She balanced it perfectly with a bracelet and earrings.

Punchline: “I really like the dark dreamy feel of the dress and the stone accessories are the icing on the cake as they go perfectly with the outfit. I think the look really suits my personality as I am a dreamer as well.”

Price: Dress (Rs 3,300); earrings (Rs 1,180); bracelet (Rs 2,000) and footwear (Rs 2,480).

Aishwarya Pissay, II PUC, Surana Pre-University College, wore an electric blue ‘Ozone’ jacket over a white top by ‘Change’ and balanced the entire look with a pair of black leggings by ‘Go Fashions’. She teamed it with a big chunky necklace.

Price: Jacket (Rs 4,500); top (Rs 595); leggings (Rs 399) and necklace (Rs 3,350).   

Lahari S, I Year, Surana College, kept it simple and chic by teaming a blue and yellow ‘Taurus’ tunic with yellow leggings from ‘Change’. Lahari also wanted to keep the accessories to the bare minimum so she went for a colourful bracelet and a pair of heels.

Punchline: “The tunic is a good balance of ethnic and modern wear. I really like the flow of the fabric and the colours, though bright, blend very well and are apt for any function.”

Price: Tunic (Rs 1,448); leggings (Rs 950); bracelet (Rs 583) and footwear (Rs 2,800).


Are you a college student and want to model for Metrolife’s ‘Haute Style’?  Do you have any fashion tips for the season? Or you simply want to say something about our feature ‘Haute Style’? Send your emails with contact number to: metrolife@­deccanherald.co.in or [e-mail]