Vaishali Shadangule’s Fall/Winter 2024 Couture Collection, is titled as well as inspired by the Zen Buddhist philosophy, ‘Satori’, which represents a profound realisation of reality’s true nature — marking a crucial step towards mindfulness and conscious living that leads to clarity and peace.
With ‘Satori’, Vaishali S reaffirms her deep admiration for classic Indian hand weaves, taking us on a journey through India’s rich sartorial heritage while breathing new life into traditional textiles.
Unveiled during Paris Haute Couture Week, the collection draws deeply from the idea of sudden enlightenment and profound insight, translating these themes into designs that evoke clarity, simplicity and elegance.
Luxurious, natural silk and fine cotton, chosen for their purity and quality, form the base of the collection. The textures are smooth and flowing, evoking effortless grace and fluidity, while structured pieces embody moments of sudden realisation.
Clean, streamlined silhouettes emphasise flowing lines and drapery, suggesting movement and freedom and paying homage to traditional Indian garments with a contemporary twist.
The collection features intricate handwork alongside subtle embellishments that are used sparingly, symbolising the fleeting yet profound nature of light. Patterns reflect personal interpretations of the flow of nature’s energy, capturing its beauty and the impermanence of life.
Many garments feature unique embellishments —Ta’wis (amulets) — crafted from leftovers of different collections and hand weaves from across India, symbolising unity in diversity.
The colour palette is muted and serene, featuring deep white, soft beige and light grey, with accents of deep indigo, rich burgundy and gold to signify enlightenment and spiritual richness.
Vaishali S’s ‘Satori’ blends traditional Indian aesthetics with modern minimalism, reflecting the principles of simplicity, balance and harmony. This collection is a must-watch for its innovative use of textiles, deep cultural roots and the seamless fusion of tradition and modernity.