Apparel August 2019 Apparel August 2019 issue | Page 83

INTERVIEW
Known designer Anavila Misra’s career trajectory
follows an interesting graph. She studied
Knitwear Design from National Institute of
Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi—after
studying business management—and graduated
in the year 2000. Her first job was as Assistant
Designer for Louis Philippe at Madura Garments.
In 2004, she began working on a craft cluster-
development project for NIFT in association with
the Ministry of Rural Development. She believes in
organic materials that are soft and comfortable on
the body. Her handwoven linen saris are simple
yet gorgeous and wonderful; so much so that
they have become her trademark drapes. Misra’s
signature elegant linen saris made in muted
colours by women weavers in Jharkhand has
many takers across the country. Her saris have
been worn by a plethora of celebrities including
the likes of Dia Mirza, Kiran Rao, Kajol, Sonali
Bendre and Nandita Das, among others.
Her most recent collection, ‘First Blush’ was
exclusively launched at Good Earth in four cities,
namely New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and
Hyderabad. With this collection, Anavila has
lent her linen drapes a festive spin, introducing
techniques such as printing, khatwa, and pleating
that create subtle textures and flowy silhouettes,
all in a palette of vermilion, cinnamon, and soft
hues of pink and cardamom. She tells us more
about her journey in this exclusive tête-à-tête.
MISRA’S SIGNATURE ELEGANT
LINEN SARIS MADE IN MUTED
COLOURS BY WOMEN WEAVERS
IN JHARKHAND HAS MANY TAKERS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
HOW DID YOU VEER TOWARDS
FASHION? WHEN DID YOU REALISE IT
WAS YOUR CALLING?
Design and textiles have always been my lifelong
interests. My sister and I used to play dress-
up, for which my mother generously lent us her
saris. I always had a keen interest in design,
which manifested in many ways during my
childhood. I used to design clothes for myself
and my dolls. Under the guidance of my mother,
I learnt embroidery, knitting, sewing, and painting
at home. And my father’s love for everything
natural—for instance, our well-kept garden and
kitchen gardens—has had a strong role to play
in brewing my love for nature, and all things raw
and organic. So choosing my path was quite
easy, thanks to the support and encouragement
I received at home. When I was working on the
craft cluster development project, I travelled the
length and breadth of rural craft clusters and
that is when I saw the immense possibility they
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