Jagmeeta Thind Joy

The change in season is becoming apparent. Haven’t you noticed the slight nip in the early morning air? With the festive season upon us, designers around town have got down to work and are gearing up with new collections. Among the first to unveil her Fall-Winter/Festive 2017-18 collection is city-based designer Jasmine Bains. Hers is a young label – she debuted a year ago with a collection that made many a fashionista in the city sit up and take notice. We were instantly charmed by her refreshing take on modern couture. In a region where elaborate embroideries and over the top embellishments rule, this generation next fashion designer beautifully illustrates that less can be more.

Her debut collection – Impressions of Nature – moved away from usually riotous hues associated with designer wear and brought in a pale colour palette and really delicate tone-on-tone embroideries. Wispy gowns in grey chiffon with delicate hand embroidery on the yoke, tulle gilets with exquisite Japanese bead work, a silk jumpsuit with a tulle sequinned dupatta, a toga style saree worn over pants, the designer presented a fresh take on modern Indian dressing.

With this new season, Bains stays true to her signature style bringing in a mellow colour palette – there is some pop of colour like the coral dress you see pictured here. There’s also steel grey, blush pink, ivory, black and champagne. As Bains says these hues reflect the subtlety she has in mind.

Clearly, understated elegance is her forte and it comes through in this collection as well. Pastel hues with the designer’s signature minimalistic hand work on pure fabrics is the highlight of the collection. Moving away from the usual Indian silhouettes, Jasmine walks a contemporary path with dress worn over pants, sari-gowns etc. We love the fluidity in her clothing. Adding to the charm are subtle, yet intricate embroideries that go with the flow of the garment and are never once overpowering.

For this season, Bains has played around with sleeves like panelled sleeves and also worked with aari and zardozi work in a new way. There’s also her favourite play with sequins and beads. While these embellishments may sound dressy, they actually accentuate the garment without dominating the design. Since it is a festive collection, Jasmine also offers jackets with high-waist pants in really fine georgette, organza kalidaar dress/kurta and even scalloped dupattas just with the most delicate of embellishments.

“I was really encouraged by the response to the first collection and I am also looking to exhibit in Dubai now,” informs Bains as we notice floor-skimming dresses in her collection. That she loves “fabric in motion” is quite apparent in her collection. Though we did find some similar styles as her previous collection, it doesn’t come across as being repetitive. In fact it’s good to know that this young designer is absolutely clear about her style and design aesthetic and she’s staying true to that.

The Jasmine Bains Collection is available at The Raya store in Sector 7, Chandigarh as well as on www.jasminebains.in