Light and Breezy Summer Dressing

Chandigarh-based designer Jasmine Bains rolls out her spring-summer collection that makes a strong case for stylish minimalism

By Jagmeeta Thind Joy

Summer is a scorcher in the city and the mere thought of dressing up in formal wear can make you break into a sweat. More often than not, formal wear here is associated with clothing that doesn’t shy away from embellishments or colour. But as Jasmine Bains points out in her new collection, it doesn’t have to be so.

The Chandigarh-based designer who made her official debut last year has made minimalism her mainstay. Focusing on fluidity of fabric and subtle embellishments, the designer’s collection last year brought in wispy gowns in chiffon with delicate hand embroidery on the yoke, tulle gilets, silk jumpsuits, toga style sari worn over pants.
This summer, she takes her signature style forward with a capsule collection that builds on the same theme – less is more. Using her favourite fabric – silk georgette and silk organza, the designer has styled long dresses and suit sets with subtle embroideries, used more as accents.

While last season, she chose really light pastels, almost bordering on nude shades, this summer the designer has brought in a pop of colour. “I have worked with hues like butter yellow, lapis blue, hazelnut, sea green, ocean green, sandstone grey and primrose yellow,” informs Bains as we notice the free-flowing silhouettes.

Looking to reinterpret modern Indian couture in her own language, Bains has played around with contemporary silhouettes more than embellishments. It could well be defined as understated elegance. “I think the Chandigarh market is very accepting of this look. Not everyone is keen on over the top styling,” points out Bains who started off working as a banker in London before a stint with design house Chanel. She launched her own label when she returned to Chandigarh a couple of years ago. No surprise her first collection that was a sell out.

“Most of the dresses have a hint of embroideries as the collection celebrates colour,” informs Bains. Here too she chooses to make her own motifs rather than traditional designs. The primrose yellow cape in silk georgette with just a splash of sequinned flowers (or are they starfish?) on the front is a perfect example.

The collection is available online (www.jasminebains.in) and is priced between Rs 12,000 to Rs 23,000.

(This article first appeared in Life in Chandigarh)