Want to contemporarise Chanderi: Anita Dongre

Leading designer Anita Dongre says the intention behind all of her designs is to popularise the versatility of traditional fabrics, and she is happy that this time she has experimented with Chanderi.
At the opening of Amazon India Fashion Week, Anita along with 15 other designers presented a show dedicated to the fabric, which has its roots in Madhya Pradesh.
"Last time, the India Fashion Week did a special 'Banarasi show' and I love the fact that another textile craft, Chanderi, is being highlighted this time," Anita told PTI.
"It is very interesting with 16 designers coming together and each one of them showing their interpretation of Chanderi. It's a traditional fabric, generally worn in sarees. I have given it a contemporary, global look so, I have used it in international silhouettes."

Anita is known for simplistic designs and feminine silhouettes, which have ardent admirers in young women. The 53-year-old designer says her interpretation of Chanderi, which is generally used in sarees, is one that will resonate with today's girls.
"My sense of design is simple and elegant so this collection is also very elegant. I have used the craft of gotta-patti in a very contemporary way on the Chanderi, so, there's one jacket which is embroidered in gotta-patti but in a modern manner.

"I want to project Indian textiles in a versatile manner so, I would always want a Chanderi saree as well as I would also want a Chanderi gold skirt. I would want both."

Anita has also played with gold in the new collection and the designer says this is one colour, which can never go out of trend.
"Gold is timeless and it never goes out of fashion. I am someone who do a lot of themes in gold. So, now also I have given a fresh and different take to the colour, so that it looks new."
Talking about the trends for the coming season, Anita says the must-have outfits in a girl's wardrobe would be a gold skirt and jacket.
"I have done a lot of versatile separates. So, I have done a skirt, a dress... I have done some must-have silhouettes like a gold skirt, a gold jacket which you can wear with so many things.

"You can wear a Chanderi jacket with a pair of jeans, the gold skirt with an embroidered top to dress it up or if you want to dress down.