When it comes to traditional sartorial choices, few fabrics beat the elegance of silk. Tussar silk, also known by its Sanskrit name Kosa, is the apple of the designer’s eye, being woven and shaped into everything from sarees and salwars to lehengas and tunics.

Tussar is known for its rich, coarse texture that complements all skin tones and complexions. That’s not all, it perfectly balances its light and airy texture while being delicate and stiff. Perhaps our favorite thing about Tussar is that it is a season-less silk that keeps you warm in the winters and cool in the summers. What’s more, it’s just as popular across the globe as it is in India, and is commonly exported to Europe, the Gulf, and the United States.

So, how is it different from other silks? What sets Tussar apart is how it’s sourced. The silkworms that produce this silk do not feed on mulberry trees, as is common. Instead, they’re bred on wild forest trees in many parts of the country, making Tussar more affordable. Once the fibers are sourced, tribal women across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra weave the silk. In fact, the Kharsawa district in Jharkhand alone accounts for over 40% of all Tussar silk woven in the country! Weavers painstakingly put together this gorgeous fabric and take about three days to produce 10 meters of cloth.

Tussar’s true beauty is evident in Latha Puttanna’s Devitva collection, showcasing this luxurious silk embellished with intricate hand-made embroidery. These designs have been created with zero digital intervention, just like the good ol’ days – making them a true product of the bygone era! What’s more, these Tussar silk ensembles are designed for functionality and value for money, making them the ideal showstoppers at the workplace or social events.

At Latha Puttanna, we’re going ga-ga over Tussar! Are you?

In a small town in Madhya Pradesh, the finest handloom weavers in the country created a fabric – named after the town itself – that would go on to become the favorite of kings, queens, and fashionistas alike. And in the centuries to come, this delicate, shimmering fabric would become the highlight of every fashion lover’s wardrobe.

We’re of course talking about Chanderi. Blessed with a rich, sheer texture and paired with intricate gold zari work, Chanderi is an interesting and versatile fabric. What’s more, the story of its inception is even more interesting.

While most historians and connoisseurs agree that the true evolution of the fabric began in the late 1800s, Chanderi was believed to be created in the Vedic Period by Shishupal – yes, Lord Krishna’s cousin! It later became the fabric of choice amongst Indian queens during Mughal rule. Later in 1910, the Scindia royal family in Central India began patronizing Chanderi sarees, thereby giving rise to the first cotton muslin saree.

Chanderi witnessed its first major transformation in the 1930s, when traditional weavers discovered Japanese silk and began incorporating it into the saree fabric. And thus, Chanderi silk was born! Today, this sheer and lightweight fabric is available in three types – pure silk, pure cotton, and a silk-cotton blend.

It was these royal connections that inspired Latha to design her new Spring Summer collection – Devitva – a range of salwars in luxurious Chanderi silk in pleasing earthy colors, replete with intricate hand embroidery and free-flowing cuts. Recreating the grandeur of the Mughals and the Scindias, Devitva is devoted to the timeless fashion and evergreen classics of yore – perfect for every weather.

After all, while trends and come go, true class like Chanderi never goes out of style.

There’s something so delightful and refreshing about being part of the Vogue Wedding Show. The energy of creativity, the vibrancy of colors, and the beauty of bridal grandeur – it all colludes to make you feel so special and privileged. This is just a fraction of what I felt when I participated in this year’s gala event. Held at Taj Palace Delhi between August 4 and 6, the event was graced by the who’s who of the fashion industry.

The style statement of bridal collections in northern India is drastically different from what we indulge in, here in the South. As a designer, my sensibilities are heavily influenced by regional textiles, motifs, and designs. And my vision is to create fashion that does not lose the essence of this ethnicity. This design language was very evident in my bridal collection that was showcased at the Vogue Wedding Show. By this virtue, it caught the imagination of many a leading designers in the industry including TarunTahiliani and Ritu Kumar.

The collection on display showcased hand-woven organzas, traditional Karnataka crepes, and pure silks. Each of these ensembles boasted delicate, unique hand embroidery – in designs and cuts that catered to every taste. We also presented a collection of exquisite cocktail sarees, which were designed to suit the many occasions that constitute a traditional Indian wedding. What really surprised me about this event was the overwhelming response I got from every corner of the world. Our clients included fashionistas from places like Raipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Assam, besides even NRIs and natives of Kenya.

They say creativity has no boundaries. While I have seen this quite often in my life, the Vogue Wedding Show gave me perspective of its true magnitude. Truly, I feel honored to be in vogue!

When I set foot into the world of fashion, the ambience was very different. The fashion industry in India was still in its nascent stages and designers explored a spectrum of styles as against merely following reigning trends. I, for one, was greatly enamored by the sheer grace and elegance of classic Indian textiles and motifs. I loved incorporating earthy colors, and never hesitated from experimenting with new permutations and combinations. In fact, these were the designs that eventually gave me a signature style or an identity that truly defined me.

To give an example, one of my most coveted creations – Shrishti – is made on these lines. It is an amalgamation of subtle colors, handcrafted embroidery, and classic design. While the saree, colored in traditional deep red, is adorned with a simple gold border, the blouse is made in exquisite black silk with embroidery as delicate as that of a flower. Made in the ethnic ‘Kolam’ design, it comes with a stylized back that is popularly called the ‘matka’ back. This design became so popular among my friends, clients, and fashionistas, that it became the face of my brand.

Inspired by this decorated and just as appreciated blouse, I adapted the design into an anarkali with an embellished yoke of intricate and carefully crafted handiwork. Also, I have revived more of my classic saree and blouse designs in the form of anarkalis as part of latest collection, only to highlight the eternity in their beauty.

I have always maintained that trends in the fashion industry only come and go. What stays eternal are the classics that have come down since several centuries and generations. Shrishti was conceptualized and designed in the early days of my career as a designer. 25 years down line, I find undiminished demand and appreciation for this style, which only reinforces my belief that style is not defined by trends and changing tastes. It is about wearing what defines you, so you can make a statement without having to utter even a word.

Every fabric has a story – from the moment of discovery, it’s journey and evolution make for a captivating narrative. More often than not, these fabrics are accidentally stumbled upon, only to change the way the world has known textiles and its many functionalities. The Muslin cloth is undoubtedly one such discovery.

While many believe that muslin comes from Mosul in Iraq, others suggest that the cloth came from Dhakeshwari, now Dhaka – the capital city of Bangladesh. It is said that Sulaiman, an Arab merchant of the 9th century, documented the textile’s origin to be Bengal, from where it went on to create waves across the world. During the 17th and 18th centuries, muslin redefined quality textiles across Europe, something the British were not very happy about. They attempted to curtail its growth by manipulating knowledge and methodologies, but their efforts went in vain. Despite a lull that is believed to have last about as long as two centuries, the fabric rose in popularity for its sheer quality and beauty; and there has been no looking back since.

Muslin is a term implying cotton fabric of plain weave. It is characterized by its minimalistic weight, typically being less than 68 gms/sqm. Today, it comes in varied forms, popular among which is the mulmul fabric. Light, easy to maintain, and especially comfortable, the mulmul cloth is recommended for almost any occasion and season. But what makes it a designer’s dream? Who better to answer this than Latha Puttanna herself?

“Flexible, versatile, and fashionable are a few words that aptly describe this textile. I love working with mulmul because I can create everything from dresses to skirts, trendy tops to stylish kurtas, without a second thought about its final look and appeal. It’s ideal for the summers, its unmatched in comfort, and it’s simply a delight to the eyes. What more can one ask for?”

Few fabrics come close to the splendid beauty mulmul offers. Latha has spun magic yet again with this unassuming, yet sterling fabric; and we are proud to present the all-new summer spring collection of 2017. Get ready to experience a new wave of freshness in color, design, and style. It’s your time to shine.

Join us at Rain Tree, Bangalore on 10th-11th March 2017 and at Leela Palace, Bangalore on 8th April to rekindle your love for the classics.