Payal Singhal, known for her versatile yet comfortable ensembles believes Bollywood hasn't played much role Indian designers' global recognition. In an exclusive interaction with News18.com, the designer said, “The impact of Bollywood on fashion is limited to consumers within India. The excellence in design and craftsmanship, as well as the supremacy of our vintage fabrics and embroidery, is what has put Indian fashion on the global map.”
She showcased her collection titled Lady M at the recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017. Inspired by the dark romanticism of the murder mystery 'Death on the Nile’, the collection was a nod to the nuanced finesse of high society dressing in the late 1930s. The designer, however, made clear that it wasn’t a conscious decision to refer to this time period. “I was in a phase where I was watching a lot of old-school murder mysteries and became intrigued by the costumes. So I decided to depict the pre-World War period and the glittery fashion of the time in my collection,” she said.
When asked about her favorite aspect of party dressing, the designer said she prefers dresses that don’t require too much care and attention. “Something you can simply put on and are ready to go. Even better if it doesn’t need much-accessorizing ironing as such pieces are travel-friendly too.”
The designer is of the view that today’s focus is more on “personal style and putting things together in an individualistic manner.”
She started off at a time when there was “no real platform in designing and social media, fashion week, and celebrity stylists were unheard of concepts”. From that to the current state of the industry, the evolution has definitely been massive, according to the designer.
“Consumers today are also much more aware and exposed. Hence the word ‘trend’ itself has become obsolete. It’s not about what’s in fashion anymore. Changing things up and experimenting has become socially acceptable.”
She strongly believes that weavers should now get their due recognition. “They have been toiling away for decades and designers today are doing their bit to bring them forward and put their product in the limelight. Forums like LFW are also doing their bit to provide them the right platform and voice. We too work with weavers in Benaras and develop the designs with them”.
“But it will take a long time for the weaver himself to become the designer,” she added.
When asked what initiatives can be taken to improve the condition, she said, “I think weavers should partner with designers and work with them in tandem. The weavers can offer their know-how of the art and craftsmanship whereas the designers can bring their understanding of the consumer needs, silhouettes, market and PR to the fore.”
The designer, who found her muse in Diana Penty, feels "if the showstopper is integrated in a manner that they bring great visibility to the show and are a fitting face for the brand that season, then it definitely works in favour of the designer".
"If the designer makes it about all about them and decides not focus on the entire collection as a whole, then it’s bound to be detrimental," she added.
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