Sonam Dubal graduated from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi in 1990. He launched his signature line Sanskar in 1999. His label is a vanguard experiment in revitalizing and redefining traditional Indian silhouettes and textiles. Recycling textiles
With sensitivity was the guiding principle and foundation for the evolving collections that blends cultures; recreating stories from the past into the future.
It was his 2003 debut runway collection at the Lakme India Fashion Week where he combined Eri (Ahimsa) silk from Assam and Khadi cotton handloom weaves and traditional hand block prints that caught the eye of Leclaireur, Paris. This was the beginning of Sanskars journey into the world.
Sanskar is a 16-year odyssey of design interpretation inspired by Dubals Buddhist heritage and diverse background.Asian motifs, symbols and cultural studies becoming an important part of the research for every collection. Hand designed block-print remnants are recombined in vibrant silk patchwork stripes for zero waste. Recycled vintage silk saris in brocade and Ikat mix with velvet, silk and handloom cotton, Khadi and wool in textural play.
The collections seek to reconcile modern influences and traditional creativity through storytelling in his embroidered jackets, wraps, coats and hand painted capes.
In 2006, he was invited to show at the Rosemount Australian Fashion week in Melbourne. It was the same year that Dubal was named in the Top 50 Achievers in Global Mainstream Media, Fashion category, by the University Of Leicester Law School, UK, followed his being awarded the Elle Global Award for fashion in 2007.
It was in 2016 that he was invited for the first time from India to show at the Vancouver, Eco fashion week and then again in 2017. Following its success Maison Sanskar was set up in Vancouver.
The label Sanskar by Sonam Dubal retails in special stores in India and across the world. In India it is available at Ogaan and Vayu in Delhi, Bungalow8 in Mumbai, Amethyst in Chennai and Verandah in Bangalore. Internationally it is available in New York, Vancouver, Belgium, Kuwait and Sri Lanka.
The label has also been exhibited at The Asia Society Museum Store in New York City from 2011 onwards to the latest being 2018.
In 2014, he was invited by Adishakti A theatre Laboratory (Pondicherry) to conduct Stories in Textiles, a workshop on costume, design, and drapes in the context of theatre, film, and dance.
Sanskar also works on a collaboration line called Tsutra, with NGO Sasha A craft organization working with weavers and embroiderers from West Bengal in the space of embroideries, prints and recycled textiles.
Eclectic women across various walks of life have always inspired his work and have played an important role in influencing his work too. His label Sanskar, has been endorsed by many such women, including documentary film maker Leslie Cockburn, Screen writer Rania Hanano, Film director Deepa Mehta, journalists and writers Barkha Dutt and MadhuTrehan and Artist Mithu Sen to name a few.
International icon Actress Isabella Rossellini – took to wearing his coats and embroidered jackets for her latest Hollywood venture 10-part TV series, “Shut eye”.
