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Fashion's new flash
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I love playing with colour. Bright hues are a turn-on, says designer Rachna Darda who makes her Chennai debut
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The designer and her muse: Rachna (right) with Aditi — Pic by R. Ragu.
Outside, it pitter-patters. But inside Studio Saks, Gopalapuram, Rachna Darda spreads sunshine. Flashing a smile, the Mumbai-based designer who makes her Chennai debut sits self-assuredly, ready for business — and some flashmattazz as well.
"This summer is about clean shapes, bright hues and brighter horizons," she says, as she poses for pictures with the muse for her latest line, supermodel Aditi Gowitrikar. "For Chennai, keeping the weather conditions in mind, I've worked on fabrics like cotton and linen. There are heavy georgettes as well for occasions."
Not one to shy away from shine and sensuousness, Rachna's haute line comprises saris in luscious greens and post-box reds — all dripping with details. In an attempt to give vintage a modern spin, she has come up with a few surprises — for instance, the rich gold gota work is cut differently. And don't miss the sequins packed like fish scales! "I love playing with colour. Bright hues are a turn-on."
But if you are not interested in visual overdrives, there are separates in subtle shades and a prêt line in white. "White is an all-seasons colour. I've used a touch of embellishment for that dressed-up mood. You can wear them to small social dos and get noticed," she adds.
Having studied screen-printing in Mumbai, Rachna went to the U. S. where she trained in graphic art at California College. She has won accolades from the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art as well. Talking about her experiences, she recalls how travel has enriched her design vocabulary. "Every place you visit has its own way of influencing you. When I travelled to the European countries just before I was launching myself, I was simply fascinated by the fabrics. But I've always been a clothes freak. I was fond of sketching since childhood. Even after marriage and motherhood, the passion didn't seem to ebb. That's when my husband and in-laws (incidentally, she is the daughter-in-law of Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda) forced me to follow my heart. So here I am," says the designer whose first show in Mumbai was attended by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, besides a host of personalities from showbiz.
And the quintessence of her design philosophy? "I've been greatly influenced by people like Aditi, who are women of many parts — she has a hectic career, an active social life and serious commitments on the domestic front. So basically, my style veers towards comfort and chic," smiles Rachna.
T. KRITHIKA REDDY
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