Bright and beautiful

The sister-cum-designer duo of Kamaali and Shruti Mehta, of the label ‘Kamaali Couture’, have always succeeded in taking their customers by surprise every time they come up with a new collection.

While Kamaali is responsible for curating  dreamlike silhouettes, her sister takes care of the branding of the label.Working primarily with Western outfits like gowns and dresses and pastel hues, their latest collection looks extremely different and chic.

In a chat with Surupasree Sarmmah, Kamaali talks about what makes  the new collection different, her favourite fabric to work with and more.

The new collection looks flamboyant...

The Spring-Summer’17 collection ‘Re‘pleat’’ is all about vibrant and funky silhouettes. One can expect unconventional lehengas with capes and drape dupattas.

There is a lot of heat setting used on the garments (we have used chanderi with zari) too. This time, I am ditching my all time favourite, pastel colours,  and instead using bright colours, (which I like to call as ice-cream colours) like yellow, pink and green. With this collection, I am experimenting with something that I usually don’t work on.

What is your forte?

My forte lies in cuts and fits. Lycra with embroidery, deep back and cut-out shoulders are some of the highlights of most of my collections.

I don’t work on traditional garments and all the outfits will have a strong element of the Western style to them.

How did you get into designing?

I have always been creatively inclined. As a child, I have experimented a lot with different styles of painting and arts.

Since my mother was in the same profession, this came as a blessing to me and I developed a keen interest in designing.

Clothes became my passion and the art of converting a fabric into an outfit attracted my attention.

The best thing about this profession?

This is an extremely challenging profession. The fact that fashion can never be predicted always keeps one on the edge of the seat. There is a new trend every season, which always keep one on their toes.

If not a designer...

I would have been a pilot.

What is your favourite and most difficult fabric to work with?

My favourite is lycra. I have always liked fitted outfits and lycra does it best. Chiffon has to be the most difficult. The slippery nature of the fabric makes it difficult to work with it.

If you are stuck in an island, what are the three things you would like to have with you?

Water bottle, a durable swim suit and a hat.

Challenges you have faced as a designer?

In the 12 years of my career, the only challenge I have faced is scarcity of skilled labour.

Any advice for young designers...

All the young designers are doing great work. They are not scared to experiment and they are excelling in every aspect. So, keep doing the good work.