Fashion
Bhavneet Kaur Ahuja:
Chandigarh's New Fashion Designer
by JAGMEETA THIND JOY
Chandigarh, Punjab
It's a well-known fact that Chandigarh’s fashion market is bling-driven with most designer boutiques dishing out embellishment-heavy garments and accessories to match. Also, crepe overpowers raw silk in winter just as georgette rules over cotton in summers.
Khadi rarely ever finds place in a Punjabi bride’s trousseau or in the wardrobe of a kitty party regular, both of whom form the larger chunk of customers that designers in this city cater to.
In this potpourri, designer Bhavneet Kaur Ahuja is a misfit.
But that’s the good thing. Her label ‘BK’, launched over a year ago, offers a refreshing choice with practical yet stylish, trendy yet comfortable line of suits and tunics in pure cotton. Block-printed cotton and south Indian textiles is what she works with, apart from raw silk and more recently Assamese silk.
Bhavneet has now added khadi to her list.
“I have always liked working with cotton, it’s best for summer. Khadi has interested me and this Spring-Summer I am going to make the most of it,” says Bhavneet, who has a studio in Sector 47 and a workshop in Delhi.
Apart from designing tunics and suits, patchwork and thread embroidery are her only embellishments - the designer will be extending the use of khadi in her line of ethnic-chic bags. A believer that the most charming of outfits can sometimes look incomplete, if not paired with the right accessories, Bhavneet launched a line of bags, clutches, hobos in Italian leather with Indian motifs. last year.
“The bags got a good response but I want to make them completely [Punjabi] and khadi works really well,” informs the designer, an alumnus of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi where she studied leather apparel and design technology before working in leading leather export houses. The khadi clutches in earthy hues like mud brown, basil green and black are particularly impressive and boast of unique block-printed motifs.
“Most karigars have pre-set blocks and I have to customise mine. It requires a lot of hand labour,” says the 32-year-old who even coordinates suits with a matching bag on demand. “I have also designed textile bags and smaller totes that would appeal to a younger age group.”
Priced Rs 500 onwards, it’s a pocket-friendly collection. “I am now looking to tie-up with stores to retail them but will now hold exhibitions at the end of this month,” sums up Bhavneet Kaur.
[Courtesy: Indian Express]
March 18, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), March 18, 2012, 4:54 PM.
There is little that pleases more than to see a well dressed man or woman. Let's have more Bhavneet Kaurs!
2: Manjit Kaur Gill (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), March 18, 2012, 6:16 PM.
I like the Punjabi dress.
3: Simmy (U.S.A.), March 20, 2012, 5:29 PM.
I googled her website and checked out her designs. I love them. They are unique ...
4: Raja Singh (India), March 21, 2012, 6:49 AM.
Unique designs and matching bags would give anyone a stylish look. Keep up the good work.
5: Ammu Waraich (India), May 01, 2012, 11:17 AM.
Where can I check out her designs online?
6: Harmony Sethi (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), May 20, 2012, 8:12 PM.
I personally got to see her fresh, sophisticated and exclusive collection. I ended up buying a few things from her collection and I am loving it! Keep up the impressive work.
7: R.S.A. (India), July 31, 2012, 12:48 AM.
Her designs can be viewed at bhavneetahuja.com/home You can also join her Facebook page for updates.
8: Tajinder (Australia), August 06, 2012, 8:37 AM.
Want to see your dresses.
9: Kuljeet (Bathinda, Punjab), November 27, 2012, 11:13 AM.
I love Punjabi designs.
10: Bhararthi Reddy (Chandigarh, Punjab), January 29, 2013, 4:08 AM.
I've heard a lot about this collection. I would like to visit the studio. Where is it located?