Shivan & Narresh marks 10 years in fashion with a virtual showcase

To say that designer duo Shivan Bhatia and Narresh Kukreja's namesake label has been game-changing in the resort-wear industry in India would not be an exaggeration. Born from their love for travel, their now 10-year-old label, Shivan & Narresh, services the needs of their occasion wear and bridal clientele without straying from its contemporary aesthetic. Its unique use of prints and minimal embellishments has made it a celebrity favourite, with the likes of Kim Kardashian West, Beyoncé, Dita Von Teese and Bollywood celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty Kundra. From foraying into wedding decor to creating a luxury pet accessories line to launching bridal wear, the duo is always up for expanding their avenues. To mark their decade in the industry, the designers are all set to present their latest collection titled ‘#Wilding20s’ via a phygital showcase that will take place amidst the rocky lakes of the legendary Aravallis. Ahead, the makers of luxury resort wear in India talk about their anniversary collection, recently launched couture line, and their plan ahead. 

What are the various elements that make your 10th anniversary collection unique?

Shivan Bhatiya: The 10th anniversary collection is called Wilding 20s. It introduces five new art prints, 55 looks and five distinct holiday lifestyles each represented by the animal iconogram (logo) of Shivan & Narresh. Fulfilling the brand’s promise to be a holistic luxury holiday lifestyle brand, the series is a first as it encapsulates five lifestyles within one collection as a mark of completing 10 years. With travel at the centre of our design universe, wild refers to going back and connecting to nature. Wilding 20s has been envisioned to look inwards and celebrate the synergy of animalia and plantae kingdoms in their most natural dignity.

What was the inspiration behind it?

Narresh Kukreja: The inspiration behind the collection is our philosophy of Wilding 20s. It is a term we wish to coin for the upcoming decade for what it would stand for. By the dictionary, ‘wild’ means to be free, to be uninhibited, have fun with a group of people. There is a huge sentiment of escape in people, an escape from isolation, escape from confinement and rules and therein lies the euphoria of breaking old patterns of life itself. Such wilding thoughts will roar in this decade, enunciate the empathy to the planet, consume mindfully, unite diversities together.

How did the lockdown alter this presentation?

SB: As you know, the show celebration was supposed to kick off in March. Ironically, it was scheduled for the very same day the official nationwide lockdown began because of the pandemic! After pondering for over a quarter of the year, testing the wading waters of the present health emergency, we put the show back into motion. We made a gradual shift in the influence of the show atmosphere to align it with the current times, thus pushing the boundaries of digital fashion. From joyously celebrating the show with our connoisseurs and supporters in our ten year-long journey in New Delhi, to taking them through the same experience digitally―the show treads the usual greenscreen digital show format and makes them travel to the splendid range of the rocky Aravallis in its newfound, expansive setting.

Tell us about some of your key learnings in the last 10 years.

SB: One major learning: listen to your customer. This decade-long journey for us has been challenging yet fulfilling. As multifaceted individuals with diverse needs, millennials and gen Z are constantly looking for experiences over products. So a fashion brand that allows them to experience travel the way we do is a huge part of the love people carry for the brand and love it for allowing them to be free spirited travellers poised to turn heads wherever they head.

Another key learning is to constantly keep looking for inspiration, be it inwards or outwards. The brand is built on three pillars of personal passion—fashion, travel and art. As designers, we are constantly looking forward to drawing inspiration from new places that we travel to and discover unique elements in the art, architecture, flora and fauna that catches our eye.

You’ve just launched your couture collection, how did that come along?

NK: Shivan & Narresh Couture was technically launched last year in a hush-hush fashion. After dressing Kaabia Grewal, our first couture beach bride for her white wedding in Vietnam, we had launched The Atelier to cater to the number of personal requests we received for festive occasions. So naturally, the official introduction of superlatively crafted, fit to perfection couture was the only way to do the celebratory season of this year. 

What's a career milestone you are proud of

SB: Over the years we have had the privilege of dressing noted personalities of all shapes and sizes, reinforcing our belief of body positivity and confidence. But having the honour of dressing Beyoncé still gives us goosebumps! She epitomises the millennial ideology of confidence and self love. Dressing her for her performance in Udaipur is a major personal and professional milestone for our brand as it gives a platform to our luxury industry to cross international borders, and for the world to take note of a new global Indian aesthetic made for the world.

What are you looking forward to in the upcoming years?

SB: After successfully completing 10 years of the brand starting with swimwear we wish to now introduce the first ‘après ski’ line in India. We aim to close this loop of the five distinct holiday lifestyles that the brand had envisioned to do so on its inception. And here on begin a journey of making the brand reach out to the world, ready to dress anyone heading out on holiday anywhere on earth whether it’s land, water, sea, mountains or shores.

We will also continue to work on other design extensions with SN Celebrations and SN Homes to continuously cater to the evolved sensibilities of the mindful millennial today, be it in the form of intimate weddings or private celebrations.

We are looking to implement a long-term regenerative strategy, by introducing eco-friendly fabrics, sustainable processes and making recycling and upcycling a part of our seasonal design jargon.

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