Anita Dongre – the Indian designer known as the “queen of prêt”, whose creations are often seen on Bollywood stars – showcased her latest collection at Lakmé Fashion Week, in one of the most anticipated shows at the fashion event in Mumbai.
We spent some time with Dongre on April 1 as she put on her show, during which she talked about her newest creations and why she does not design costumes for Bollywood films, as well as revealing her hope of opening a first Dubai store next year.
Tell us about your spring/summer collection, Love Notes, which was on the runway during Lakmé Fashion Week?
These are light, fun pieces that you could wear to an occasion when you want to feel a little dressed up. There are lots of whites, lots and lots of prints, and all the prints are, in fact, coordinated with white. The inspiration was Rajasthan, which is usually the inspiration behind all my collections.
Bollywood star Sonakshi Sinha wowed the crowd as the showstopper. Tell us about her outfit.
Sonakshi is a stunning-looking woman and she has been wearing my Indian wear for the past few years. She wears the brand really well. She’s wearing a beautiful skirt that has these beautiful birds embroidered on it in the craft that I specialise in, called gota patti. Then she’s wearing a beautiful white jacket over it, also in gota patti.
Many Indian designers seem to be interested in expanding to Dubai. Are you thinking about opening a store in Dubai?
Maybe by next year, yes. I’m not ready for it this year. I love the Middle East. I love Dubai. The women there are fashionable. They love Indian designers. It’s just a matter of time before I come there. I’ll look at that next year.
Who are your muses?
Any woman who is really confident and carries my designs well is a muse. Sonakshi is one of my muses. I was just telling her: “You know, I can make this lehenga, I can make this jacket, but I always believe that the wearer adds 50 per cent to that garment.” It can be a beautiful garment, but if you don’t wear it well, my design doesn’t look good. Sonakshi is definitely someone who makes the outfit come alive. There are so many beautiful women who I meet in my store, who are probably not famous people, who make my clothes look so beautiful. I don’t mean beautiful in the sense of what you think beautiful means. You don’t have to be conventionally pretty to be beautiful – it’s your confidence and your carriage.
Where does your inspiration come from?
In India, inspiration is everywhere. We’re a blessed land. I’ve always said that one lifetime is not enough for me to explore all the inspiration India has to offer.
Would you design outfits for Bollywood films?
I’m not a Bollywood-film designer and I’m not a stylist in that sense – I’m a pure designer. I just don’t have time. Most of the Bollywood girls wear my clothes, but I don’t do films.
How is the Indian fashion industry evolving?
There are a lot of fresh young designers and Lakmé is the perfect platform for them. India is finally getting its own design voice. There are a couple of designers who are going global, and I’m sure lots more will.
What are you focusing on now?
I’m focusing on my brand Grassroot [Dongre’s new eco-friendly line based on handcrafted traditions]. I just did a Grassroot show two weeks ago at Amazon India Fashion Week.
artslife@thenational.ae