Easy and zardosi two elements that sail Payal Singhals boat; this aut-winter she gives women the opportunity to unleash sheer power’
By Asmita Aggarwal
Mumbai-based designer Payal Singhal has a neat doctrine that kind of gives a sneak peek into, who she really is as she will tell you with a disarming smile, you should wear the clothes, the clothes shouldnt wear you and this kind of gets energised into what she designs. Nothing is really constricting, even if it is bustiers worn under sheer lehengas and kaftans or the flamboyant art of zardosi that she cant get enough of and keeps revisiting.
This autumn-winter Payal knew that she will stick to what she does bestneither Indian nor Western, something in between, just like how we, in India love to dress. So there are sharara, dhoti pants and free flowing tunics for an audience, which could be anywhere in the world and of course, mokaish and 3 D textures, which she has fun working with. Im not presumptuous and will say that yes, I use textiles and its part of my design story. No, it isnt as yet, but I do try to include it where it fits. So handloom silks have been used and this time, dupion, mul-mul and tulle have been added to give it an airy feel, she adds.
What also interests her is leather and gotta-patti, both kind of give the muted effect she wanted as well as French knots in a line that will make you feel good. Inspired by Parisian chic, where everything seems as if no one really tried that hard to succeed, but they somehow did, Payal has avoided sorbet pastels and gone for muddy ones which exude, quiet glamour. This time no prints, which was a big decision for me, but what motivated me was the play of conceal and reveal, which I tried to play out in my own way, she smiles.