Anavila is one of those iykyk designer labels that has carved its own niche among people who take satisfaction in wearing creations that are consciously-made, for your comfort. Their clothes are like a breath of fresh air sans the usual chaos (bold colours, bedazzled embroidery, striking silhouettes and experimental shapes) that one usually associates with ethnic designer wear that screams Band Baja Baraat.
You know that one kurta you keep returning to? Not only is it comfortable, but you enjoy how it makes you feel in that moment—uncomplicated, at ease, and, most importantly, like yourself without any frills. That's exactly how Anavila clothing makes us feel—as if they're waiting to be your emotional support companion with their easy-breezy style, dainty embroidery, and high-quality fabric that has your back, and not make you look suffocated or drowning in fabric.
Moving on to the new gem in their arsenal: ÉTÉ, their new summer collection, which makes us love the label even more than we did before because it brings our ethnic cottagecore dreams to life. And that is precisely what the brand's ideology is all about! 'Rooted in our Indian ethos and looking at the world with curious eyes, we constantly strive for innovation, originality, and beauty in everything we create.' They have done more than justice to this description on their website with ÉTÉ, which features creations inspired by the harmonious blending of Tamil and French cultures.
White is the colour that bears the weight of the collection's beauty, with rose as the primary motif, embodying the Tamil intermingling with French culture, inspired by Pondicherry where one lives with the scent of roses mixed with the aroma of French coffee.
The collection's backbone is linen, khadi silk, and khadi, with these fabrics providing the ideal canvas for hand-block painted rose motifs (the collection's focal point), which are featured in bouquets, trellises, all over lattices, and individual placements, as well as the use of appliqué and embroidery. To create the atmosphere of a rosarium, colours such as smoke blue and blush, soft yellow, and green are used in combination. All of these elements come together to tie in the French meets Tamil fusion that can be seen in Pondicherry's love of flowers and laces, age-old recipes in boulangeries, unique Franco-Tamil architecture, or the walk on the promenade, all in themselves a summery sight to behold.
Our picks from the collection include the Riviera Blouse, a homage to vintage regency era dresses with empire waistline and soft ruching which gives it that cottagecore feel. Katherine Waistcoat since waistcoats are going to be the it wardrobe piece this summer and this one with its trellis embroideries and structured lattice lace work is the perfect Indian take spin on it. The Rose Cordon Sari since Anavila's linen sarees are what they are specially known for and the Amour Rose set that speaks of romance and the timeless charm of the Indo-French countryside with its roses blooming over a garden fence pattern.
Prices: Starting from INR 5,800
