Of Persia and Poetry : Anju Modi’s royal line for AICW 2015

New Delhi, Aug 1 :The strings begin to play, the music sets in and suddenly you aren’t at a fashion preview. You have been transported all the way to the royal alleys of Persia. Or was it a series of royal paintings coming to life? Either way, you are captivated by the outfits that are nothing short of works of art. How else would we put it when the couture line “Kashish” by Designer Anju Modi doesn’t just enthrall but captivates one? Be it with the intricate details of “tarkashi” & “resham” work, or the gold/silver foil printing on the wisps of organza fabric?
The line, which draws inspiration from Persia, Indian heritage and Rumi’s poetry, featured architectural, Mughal & Tree of Life motifs on lehengas, anarkalis and kurtis. All the outfits bore the classic Anju Modi style. Modi says that she is enamored by the designs that our ancestors have passed on to us and that she uses her expression of mind to translate them into her couture wear.

“Culture is getting hybrid now; every culture draws from the other and becomes one. My attire is on similar lines, should be aspired by the coming season”, says Modi. Talking about the story behind the collection, Modi says that the bride is the beloved is the God in Persian poetry; there is a “kashish”, a yearning, to be happy, to be with the beloved, and that’s the feeling around which the ensembles are designed.

The crisp dupattas bordered with gold foil printing taken over lehengas heavy with sitaara work, and hand embroidery were made in various blush colors such as mint green, orange, indigo blues, fuchsia pink, yellow and of course, red. Using fabrics such as chanderi, khadi, georgette, velvet and handloom silk the designer nay artist expresses not only her love for her designs but also the people she makes them for.

“I enjoy dressing up the real people, like you guys”, says Modi. Although the designer has been long associated with what is ethnic & cultural, Modi says that the idea is to take that and express it in a way that defines “the women of today”. Her collection was in ethnic, what Monisha Jaising’s was in western wear on the same day of Amazon India Couture Week 2015.

The show doesn’t really end; it leaves you wanting more, a kashish for your soul to come back from the intricately entwined motifs in gold thread. So I guess Anju Modi’s magic worked after all. And as Rumi was her inspiration for the show, in his words.

“Jab rooh chhoray mere lash ko, aur phir aayay,

Aur koi tumhara bharosa na karey,

Mere ghar mein wapas aana,

Aise.”

ANI