I love all things vintage, be it homeware, kitchenware or even apparel. I love vintage fabrics like muslin, cotton and mulmul and there are just a handful of brands that do justice to those fabrics, so I was especially thrilled to find Chidiyaa while browsing for a cotton sari I wanted as a treat for myself. I rarely wear saris but when I do, I think of my mother's collection from Cottage Industries and then all I yearn for are soothing prints on summery cotton. Chidiyaa, appealed to me for its unique design sensibilities and reimagination of traditional crafts, like a combination of being free-spirited, modern yet steeped in a sense of tradition. The prints were fresh and new, the fabrics looked ideal for a time like this since we’re forced to be relaxed and laidback, I wanted my lockdown to look to be the same too. I found their Monsoon 2020 Capsule Collection called ‘Good Old Days’ to be an ode to the years gone by, such an apt name for what we are all yearning for, the good old days!
Their line of ethnic sarees, finished in mulmul, forms the backbone of the collection. Classic hand-printed motifs are like a sanguine summer scene with adorable intricate tassel detailing add a playful touch to clothes. The colour palette has my favourite soft ivories to warmer tones like mustards, oranges, reds and pinks. The collection also includes a range of cotton crop tops that I felt added a touch of drama to the ensembles with intricate detailing like frill necklines, back buttons and angarakha style blouses, I ended up buying two!
I read about the brand and touched base with the founder, Pooja Rajput and found her to be very well versed with Indian handloom, a product my mother worked with 40 years ago. Pooja pays tribute to the timeless Indian garment, the saree, and weaves an ornate tale of Indian arts and crafts through the range of techniques employed by artisans and weavers from across the country. I found that to be very telling of the brand when the emphasis is laid upon the maker and not just the seller. I finally found a brand whose aesthetic sensibilities are born out of simplicity, finesse, distinct design and unmatched quality. With a wide range of sarees, blouses, kurtas as well as menswear, this is likely to be my go-to for our festive shopping this October. I love the simplicity, warmth and love that brings alive an old-world charm through its offering with a deep-rooted reverence for Indian craftsmanship and an affinity for all things ethnic, ticks all the boxes for me.
Their line of ethnic sarees, finished in mulmul, forms the backbone of the collection. Classic hand-printed motifs are like a sanguine summer scene with adorable intricate tassel detailing add a playful touch to clothes. The colour palette has my favourite soft ivories to warmer tones like mustards, oranges, reds and pinks. The collection also includes a range of cotton crop tops that I felt added a touch of drama to the ensembles with intricate detailing like frill necklines, back buttons and angarakha style blouses, I ended up buying two!
I read about the brand and touched base with the founder, Pooja Rajput and found her to be very well versed with Indian handloom, a product my mother worked with 40 years ago. Pooja pays tribute to the timeless Indian garment, the saree, and weaves an ornate tale of Indian arts and crafts through the range of techniques employed by artisans and weavers from across the country. I found that to be very telling of the brand when the emphasis is laid upon the maker and not just the seller. I finally found a brand whose aesthetic sensibilities are born out of simplicity, finesse, distinct design and unmatched quality. With a wide range of sarees, blouses, kurtas as well as menswear, this is likely to be my go-to for our festive shopping this October. I love the simplicity, warmth and love that brings alive an old-world charm through its offering with a deep-rooted reverence for Indian craftsmanship and an affinity for all things ethnic, ticks all the boxes for me.
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