Itrh’s contemporary tradition, Ekaya Banaras’ gorgeous textiles and Raniwala 1881’s statement pieces will form Neo Festive Curation by Styleograph, to be held at ITC Royal Bengal, on November 2 and 3. Ridhi Bansal and Mohit Rai of Itrh, Palak Shah, CEO and founder, Ekaya Banaras, Abhishek and Abhiyant Raniwala and style curator Chikky Goenka chat with t2 about the edit.
(l-r) Minimal and striking, we love the contrast of colours in this Ekaya Banaras + Raniwala 1881 look, An Itrh crystal sari has been paired with gloves and Raniwala 1881 jewellery for a glam look
Ridhi Bansal and Mohit Rai of Itrh
Showcasing: We are getting all our collections together for the first time- The ‘Sona Chandi’ collection has gold and silver colours and flat tissues with block prints and velvets. Nothing is complete for us without lampi. And our technique this time is inspired by metallurgy and round shapes. Just like how a metallurgist beats the iron and forms shapes, so have we. A round dot signifies a lot of things in life. The end, the beginning, the birth, death, motion, sound, form - life at large. Our newest collection with mirror play doesn’t even have a name yet. We have approached mirrorwork in an extremely maximal way.... We have taken inspiration from the fluidity of the female body and sculpted shapes out of it. It’ll be interesting to see Calcutta’s reaction to it.There will be ‘Diwali Janeman’ too. The most anticipated is ‘Dancing Queen’, our resurgent homage to disco.
Fail-safe festive investments: Our evergreen statement metallic lehngas, our crystal-studded draped sari, our new mirror corset with a soft draped sari in a bright hue or our simple light tissue kurta for lighter parties.
Palak Shah, CEO and founder, Ekaya Banaras
Showcasing: We, at Ekaya, are thrilled to present to you a thoughtful melange of saris, lehngas, and dupattas, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans. Not just everlasting icons from our history, expect to witness one-of-a-kind pieces that are a celebration of rare designs. On display would also be our latest collection, ‘Zar’—a festive lineup of zari-infused silhouettes; including pure zari drapes.
Fail-safe festive investments: For me ‘Iro’ is an investment. Sitting at an accessible price point, the collection features easy-to-drape organza saris that can be worn time after time. From vivid brights like the tangerine orange and the fuchsia pink to lighter hues of the colour wheel, like the latte beige, there’s something for every mood and occasion. Experiment playfully with the drapes, and you’ll have a new ensemble to wear each time. The blouse designs exude a cosmopolitan taste and can be effortlessly paired with more than just saris.
Ushoshi is stunning in festive red by Ekaya Banaras and Raniwala 1881 jewellery
Abhishek and Abhiyant Raniwala of Raniwala 1881
Showcasing: Raniwala 1881 will present A/W 2023–24. This collection is a story of every bride and a balance of tradition and culture, keeping it relevant to today. The range features a stunning array of classic modern contemporary jewellery pieces that are perfect for the modern millennial and Gen Z bride. Sparkling diamonds, precious gemstones, and lustrous pearls have been crafted with love and precision for those brides who want to be close to their roots.
Fail-safe festive investments: For a significant portion of society, gold symbolises stability during times of uncertainty and as the long-term outlook for gold remains positive and a valuable asset, we believe it is a compelling investment.
Chikky Goenka, style curator
I have kept the curation one that everyone can resonate with. The designers need no introduction. I have seen Itrh since their first collection... it’s more evolved and has modern maximal pieces that everyone will love. From reimagining gota to weaving their “disco” collection with Swarovski crystals, it’s a perfect fit for Diwali. I’ve also been conscious of presenting something that’s not just seasonal or occasion-based. Ekaya Banaras is another brand in this curation. I feel one may want to pick up an heirloom-handwoven classic and that always makes for a great investment. We’ve got back Raniwala 1881 from Jaipur. Their latest showcasing on the ramp has been much loved.
For Diwali, definitely invest in an heirloom piece to begin with, something like a Benarasi zari sari. If you’re into lehngas then do a fusion look for Diwali parties, say with a shirt or corset. Statement jewellery pieces like headgear or just a fancy choker can elevate a simple look.
Muse: Ushoshi Sengupta Outfits- Itrh, Ekaya Banaras
Jewellery- Raniwala 1881
Styled by: Chikky Goenka
What: Neo Festive Curation by Styleograph
Where: ITC Royal Bengal
When: November 2 and 3; 11am-7pm
Featuring: Itrh, Ekaya Banaras and Raniwala 1881
