The Hindu : New Delhi News : Making style and craft heritage meet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 13, 2006
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Making style and craft heritage meet

Inspired by India's rich craft heritage, Anjana Bhargav, who has designed dresses for several women celebrities, holds self-made people in high esteem, says Madhur Tankha.

Combining style with sensitivity, Delhi-based fashion designer Anjana Bhargav draws inspiration for her creativity from the rich craft heritage of the country.

Through each one of her painstakingly created women's collections, Anjana has worked to take forward the colourful craft of the country. This not only brings the craft closer to her clientele, which includes the glitterati and people from different walks of life, but also keeps the stoves burning for indigenous craftsperson living in remote parts of the country. Moreover, her work also prevents the skills that have been faithfully passed from one generation to another and patronised for centuries from fading away.

Speaking about her background, Anjana says: "In the 1980's I was doing Economic honours from the Capital's Lady Shri Ram College. Then I had no clue that I would take up fashion designing as a career as I was busy with my studies. But even that time I was a creative person and would improvise my dresses by giving my own personal touch. I would put frills on the sleeves."

After passing out from the LSR College, Anjana tied the nuptial knot and settled down in life. After a year, a physically challenged tailor came to her house and requested her to do something concrete for him. "So I created a collection of 50 dresses for an exhibition. It was just to fill time but I got a chance to create the Indo-Western look. Ultimately, I came out with long kurtas and pyjamas," says the designer.

Among celebrities, Anjana holds in high esteem those who have carved a niche for themselves. "I am inspired by those who have stood on their own feet all on their own. I respect and admire Hillary Clinton who stood by her husband through thick and thin even during his turbulent days and has now proved her mettle in the field of politics. I also look up to people who have a mind of their own and don't dress according to the dictates of fashion. Even though I am not a movie freak, I feel that Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is definitely a style icon, who has defied age. He takes up any role and gives it a different twist."

Stating that her forte is cuts and styling, Anjana says that even though she doesn't go in for embellishments like swarovski she gives her own personal touch in surface texturing.

"I will create a dress and put a pearl in the centre. For Westside stores I have come out with dresses for the working women. Then I have come out with prêt in collaboration with a well-known Balinese brand," she says.

"Subsequently, I will diversify into trousseau as I believe in comfort dressing for women."

A woman who knows her mind, Anjana designs for women who know themselves and are recognised for who they are through their achievements and talents. Anjana gives them a wardrobe that is classic, chic and, yet, uniquely personalised.

Revealing that she had the honour of dressing the who's who during the celebration of Femina's 50th anniversary, Anjana says: "I dressed up Booker prize winner Arundhati Roy, herbal beauty queen Shahnaz Hussain and Hindustani classical singer Shubha Mudgal for the celebration. In Bollywood, I have created dresses for Hindi film actress Vidya Balan."

Anjana is driven by a strong sense of social commitment.

She believes no creativity is an island in itself. Making it crystal clear that she has no intention of designing clothes for men, Anjana says that she doesn't want to dilute her strength. As for craftspersons, the designer says that she has tied-up with a chikankari worker and also weavers from Bhagalpur.

"My production unit comprises 40 to 50 people. People, especially the Generation X, have become more fashion conscious and the domestic market for designers has increased manifold. I have received a couple of offers from Bollywood but I didn't accept them, as I didn't want to shift my base to Mumbai. Unlike some designers, I am not a movie freak. Instead, I often frequent museums to see the craftsmanship of Rajasthan, Mughal period and cultural heritage of our country," says the designer.

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