In an effort to make the saree relevant for modern India, Ekaya Banaras has launched its latest collaboration collection with fashion stylist and costume designer, Bhawna Sharma. Sharma’s sartorial excellence in styling the characters of Amazon Prime series, Made In Heaven, has been critically acclaimed. Her approach to fashion is both wearable and relatable, allowing every woman to look effortlessly while instantly connecting with her style.

“I believe collaborations are the only way one can allow creativity to flow through Banarasi weaves; when boundaries are tested, creativity is truly explored. We as a team believe that partnerships are essential for pushing creative boundaries and exploring new possibilities within the world of handwoven textiles,” says Palak Shah, Founder, Ekaya Banaras of the luxury handloom brand’s focus on creative associations. Prior to Sharma, the brand collaborated with Anu Merton, Kunal Rawal, 431-88 and the jewellery brand, Aulerth. These unions with seasoned designers, stylists, and industry experts allow Ekaya Banaras to give a fresh new spin to handlooms.

The Ekaya Banaras x Bhawna Sharma collab reimaginestraditional Indian textiles, creating fresh, modern interpretations. Shah and Sharma found inspiration in the era of Swinging 60s featuring signature houndstooth and the nautical elegance of the French Riviera, each piececaptures a distinct aesthetic. “We’ve respected the sanctity of the traditional Banarasi while inculcating these unexpected touches during the design process. As saree purists, reengineering textiles has always been our forte and even in our campaigns, we always respect the heritage aspect in the yardage, especially the way sarees are shot and styled,” Shah explains when asked about the essence and heritage of Banarasi handloom textile.

In an era when Y2K fashion and style are seeing a resurgence, Sharma believes that mod 60ssynonymous with icons like Twiggy and Brigitte Bardot always stays relevant. “Nothing beats the space age with the likes of Paco Rabanne and André Courrèges creating fashion-forward designs. It’s an era of fun and nonchalance, whether it’s the babydoll dresses or the dramatic cat eyes. So for this special collab, I went thematically with retro influences and drawing from the decade’s influences,” she adds. When styled with accessories like leather corset belts, boots, trench coats and chunky jewels, the ensembles offer relevance while catering to diverse sensibilities.

Sharma goes on to give handy tips to modernise the saree style:

• You can tone down the styling like when you’re heading to a festive Diwali card party.

• If you’re going for a cool brunch then you may add a statement belt or a pair of earrings.Considering there are a lot of colourways in each design – it’s really about how you own it, and how you are feeling at that point.

• Add-ons like the trench coat can be layered as per one’s mood or occasion.

Shah wants sarees to become everyday uniforms for the modern Indian woman that seamlessly transition for all occasions be it work to brunch, dinnerand anafterparty. By introducing a hint of contemporary to traditional textiles and experimenting with modern prints, patterns, and techniques, she wants to encourage the younger generation to embrace the heritage of sarees as opposed to seeing it as traditional and outdated. She adds, “It should feel as easy as a shirt and a pair of trousers or as sexy as a little black dress.”