Fashion will no longer be closed-door affair: Designer Samant Chauhan on Lakme Fashion Week going online

Designer Samant Chauhan

One of the most coveted fashion shows of the country, the Lakme Fashion Week (October 6-10) was a low-key affair this year. While the official venue of the show is Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre, keeping up with the changing times post coronavirus outbreak, several shows of the fashion week were held virtually. Hence, a few young designers like Samant Chauhan presented their collection on social commerce apps like Trell.

As pastel hues and muted tones dominated this year's collections, Samant's Spring-Summer 2022 collection titled 'The Strawberry Thief' presented on October 9 on the Trell app followed the same trend.

Trell's homegrown content creators and lifestyle influencers Tarini Shah and Karishma Rawat graced the ramp for Samant Chauhan in twentienth century Britain-inspired attires.

Talking to mid-day, 19-year-old Mumbai-based influencer Tarini said, "the first thing I noticed about the outfit I wore was how comfortable it was. It also had a green and white gradient which is a reflection of the post-pandemic mood and it also features flower motifs which was in line with Spring-Summer theme."

Tarini Shah at Lakme Fashion Week

On fashion shows going online she said, "Fashion shows have been a community experience but on the aftermath of the pandemic people realised that a community can be built online. It would also not be wrong to say that an online community will be stronger because it will be accessible to more people. So the scopes are endless." She added, "I started my career with Trell and it helped me get the exposure one needs as a creator and also enabled me to do more."

Designer Samant Chauhan spoke exclusively to mid-day about his collection at the Lakme Fashion Week and the virtual experience of fashion shows.

Excerpts from the interview:

What does your collection for this year entail?

The Spring-Summer 2022 collection titled 'The Strawberry Thief' entails fresh motifs, prints and textures juxtaposed against our signature fabric, Chanderi. I was inspired by the likes of Alexander McQueen who are versatile designers and can derive prét and couture from the same concept."

Tarini Shah wearing a handcrafted number from Samant Chauhan's Spring-Summer Collection 2022

Your work celebrates handmade craft, how relevant do you think that is in a post-pandemic era?

In the post-pandemic era, it is even more relevant as many artisans returned to their native places. Many design houses were hit badly by the lockdowns and couldn't pay their artisans pre-pandemic salaries. So, it is essential that we support them. Also, my belief is that India has a lot to offer in terms of design and craft. There's a plethora of techniques that are unknown or lost in the west due to mechanisation. To stand out, I prefer using indigenous techniques."

To what extent will a virtual world change how people consume fashion?

It would certainly change. However, it also means fashion weeks will be accessible to a larger audience and, in turn, fashion will become more inclusive. They will no longer remain a 'closed door affair'. It will open doors for new audiences, potential buyers, clients etc.

Tell us a bit about your future collections.

Future collections will always be about promoting and working on Bhagalpur silk fabric or cottons. It will be about making designs that can be worn for years and passed down to generations.

Trell, India's largest social commerce platform is Lakme Fashion Week's official lifestyle partner. Shop Samant Chauhan's Spring-Summer 2022 collection on Trell Shop.