Anavila

With an honours degree in management, a post-graduation from NIFT and a decade of work experience in the industry, Anavila Misra was moulded for excellence. Her core belief of ‘being one with the environment’ makes the foundation of her creations. As a brand, Anavila has boldly ventured into a road less travelled by being a linen loyalist. It took her several months to develop her first handwoven linen saris with inimitable fluidity, to give Indian fashion a completely new product category. There is brilliance in the simplicity of her design. The unique linens and linen-blends are structured for comfort and luxury. The au natural colour palette and easy silhouettes remain classic trends across seasons or boundaries. Anavila introduces a sense of calm and balance in the ever-changing world of fashion. Indisputably the designer, who reintroduced the sari as everyday wear, Anavila recommends the garment as an elegant replacement for Western clothing. The blouses are interestingly designed for comfort and flexibility of matching separates. Demystifying the conventional and complicated sari drapes, Anavila shows how each drape can be as unique as the person, who wears it. The brand remains firmly grounded to its heritage using indigenous textile, technique and crafts to design collections that reflect our evolved culture. Her work strongly communicates revival of handcrafts and sustainability of fashion’s auxiliary industries. Anavila has built her brand from one weaver on one loom to a business model supporting over 200, fully employed weavers and craftsmen. Fashion leaders recognise the brand for its contribution – not only to new-age fashion, but also to the industry as a whole by adopting sustainable practices within the luxury fashion space. Anavila is humbled to be a part of the NIFT Board of Governors and hopes to constantly inspire the young talent of today.