We recommend: Colourful homegrown brands
Editor’s note: The splainer team recommends stuff we’ve personally bought and appreciate. This month’s recommendations are all about adding colour to your wardrobe and accessories—and be your own secret Santa!
PHUE’s wearable art: Instagram feeds today are saturated with the minimalist trend— everything is coloured in beige, creams, and whites. Rachel recommends the clothing brand PHUE, precisely because it breaks through this monotony with clothes that are vibrant, bold and fearless. The USP of PHUE—which is a woman-owned brand—is that it endorses maximalist fashion in this age of carefully-curated minimalism to create clothing that is akin to wearing pieces of art.
According to the founder Panya Gupta, her vision was to create the perfect amalgamation of surreal art and vibrant chaos, and invoke a feeling similar to that of being lost in an art gallery. Rachel’s favourite pieces are Azure Blazer Dress, Halcyon Co-ord Set and the Swank Dress. Pictured below is the Slush Dress. Check out their website or Instagram for lots more. FYI: the sizes can also be customised. (Price range: Rs 4,000 to Rs 11,000)
The saree sneakers: Sometimes, heels are not the most practical footwear at shaadis and family events. How about some sneakers and boots to go with your traditional wear, instead? Aarthi found this cool homegrown shoe brand which will perfectly complement your sarees, suits, shararas and ghararas! The best bit: These is bespoke footwear. ou can choose from a range of traditional embroidery—like zardozi, chikankari gota patti and threadwork. You can also send them a reference of your shaadi outfit and get special ones made for the wedding! Check out their website for more information. (Price range: Rs 3,500-7,000)
Earthloom Laptop Bags: Aarthi stumbled upon these washable, quirky laptop bags at a Christmas market. These are made by Rajasthani artisans who specialise in the traditional pattu weaving. Earthloom is a Jodhpur-based brand that ships all over India. You can go a very traditional ikat route, or get their classic block print options. They sell bags in all shapes and sizes and fabrics but the laptop bag was her favourite and you can see why below. Psst: These are perfect for gifting. (Price: Rs 2,200)
Kai’s hand-painted accessories: Anannya loves this quaint homegrown brand—run by two sisters—that makes the sweetest hand-cut, hand-painted and hand-embroidered clay accessories—including but not limited to earrings, pendants, rings, hair clips and brooches. She calls it “wearable art—unique and adorable”--that “add that extra element to my outfits.” Their packaging is upcycled—with a sweet note on how to care for the clay pieces. (Price range: Rs 350 to Rs 1,750)
