I'm a self-taught designer: Anushree Reddy

She's known for using vintage flora combined with zardozi embroidery from Hyderabad for her creations. Anushree Reddy, who has wowed many a young bride and fashionista with her work, says she hasn't studied fashion and is a self-taught designer.

"I don't know if it's an advantage or disadvantage for me... It's that I haven't studied fashion. I am a self-taught designer," Reddy told IANS over phone from Hyderabad.

Reddy's eponymous label, which was launched in 2010, stands out for its scintillating colours and easy-to-wear garments blended with glamour. Her design philosophy lies in creating detailed silhouettes fused with soft prints and beautiful embellishments.

"If you see my blend of colours it's not what a fashion student would ideally be taught. Some of the things I would just go with my heart and do what I like. So, I think that kind of makes me stand apart from others. I probably make more wearable clothes," said the designer.

Reddy will be showcasing her collection titled 'Indian Summer' at the forthcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017. She says she is "strongly sticking" to the theme of Summer-Resort.

"Normally people would expect very bridal looking garments from the label but we are taking a departure from that. We are doing very pret, easy and very breezy-looking clothes this time. So there will be a lot of freshness in the range," she said.

The designer will be showcasing 20 looks for the event, which commences on February 1. Reddy will be using soft pastels for her range, with fabrics like chiffon and organza.

"I also have developed a light weight khadi... It is basically khadi, but it is not as heavy as khadi. It's a lighter form of the fabric in fun colours. So, that is something that I will be introducing this season," said Reddy.

The designer believes that there is a need for uplifting Indian handlooms.

"India is obviously known for its abundance of talent in terms of weaves... India is known for its weaves and I think it is a dying community, so there is probably a reason to kind of uplift it in whatever way we can," said the designer, who has styled actresses like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Athiya Shetty.

The five-day fashion gala will see designers like Falguni-Shane Peacock, Anita Dongre, Tarun Tahiliani, Amit Aggarwal and Kunal Rawal at the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017.

(Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in)

--IANS

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