Hi! Remember the 2021 Sabyasachi X H&M collection which controversially brought traditional Indian textile culture  into the Indian and international fast fashion lanes? Most of us have watched, shopped, or worn a piece of global culture either in its authentic form, or as a representation - digital prints of weaves, embroideries of traditional art forms, and yet, individually, “traditional” and “fashion” seem to carry polarizing connotations.

Many fashion collections have been, and are, shaped by some kind of cultural craft like pottery, or weave, or an art, making it obviously ethical for the fashion industry to accredit the craft-form for the inspiration. Fashion is a powerful poster; still, we hear accountable stories of these traditional works fading into obscurity. These stories are aplenty. Where is the snag - are traditionalists too rigid, or is fashion exploiting the craft sector? 

To find answers to this, and similar pressing issues, I question a passionate, expert voice from across the line - I am in conversation today with craft entrepreneur and founder of Tanzeb Chikankari, Nidhi Bala. Equipped with a meagre initial capital and a voracious determined energy to bring the authentic Indian craft of Chikankari embroidery out from its rural homes, Nidhi has introduced craft authenticity, and superlative workmanship to clients spanning the globe. Her undertaking equips the craft’s artisans with self-respect, financial independence, and lenses to see beyond their restrictive livelihoods. “Every piece carries a story”, she shares proudly. You can take a look at the collections crafted by Tanzeb Chikankari . You could also write to Nidhi at [email protected]

On UnDressed - the Fashion Edit, we discuss crucial fashion industry subjects that are often swept behind its glamorous front. Check out the trailer for a quick introduction. UnDressed is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. I have a few quick questions for you, I appreciate your opinion and time:

Do you own any piece of fashion that is, or represents, an artisanal work? Are you aware of the backstory of that craft? Would it alter your evaluation of that fashion piece if you did know?

You can share your viewpoints in the comments below or write to me at [email protected] . I am eager to hear from you! Do share this episode; let’s keep these vital fashion conversations going! 

Thank you for being here and for your support! Stay tuned for more, and … stay fashionably you! x

The music for this show is by QubeSounds on Pixabay.

High Fashion Beyond Labels

Sure, high fashion labels are weighty. So much so that stamping these high profile fashion names on cheap fashion products imparts “chic” or “luxury”, albeit fake, to those low quality fashion goods. High fashion purists affirm that the snobbishness of these labels is earned by the craftsmanship invested into the creations; and justly so. 

Today, the profile of High Fashion is weaker. Brand advertising has relocated to social media platforms like Instagram making it a freely accessible “tool” to endorse oneself. Content repeatedly appearing in social media feeds builds familiarity with a brand name, marking the label as noteworthy, allowing mediocre fashion to project itself as high fashion. 

“It’s got a lot to do with taste,” declares UnDressed’s esteemed guest, Uma Chauhan, one of the very few fashion designers today whose creations justify the legacy of her label. Uma is a high fashion purist and one of India’s earliest fashion creators. She has adopted the genteel hand craft of crochet as her product profile taking it from the confines of a home-bred craft to the highest rungs of fashion. Uma has several solo fashion showings to her credit, and has retailed from her signature boutique and from India’s prestigious high fashion stores. Fun fact: Her entire collection was once bought by a Dior model right after the fashion showing! We dive into her decades of creator expertise and experience to know fashion behind its label. To connect with Uma, you could write to her at [email protected]

On UnDressed I peel the superficial layers of Fashion. Check out the trailer for a quick introduction. UnDressed is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. I am your host Aparna, please do share your questions or thoughts on this episode in the comments below, or write to me at [email protected] . I am eager to hear from you! 

The music for this show is by QubeSounds on Pixabay.

Thank you for being here! Stay tuned for more, and … stay fashionably you! x

Fascinating question, isn’t it? Does it stir up an immediate response or do you need to give it a think? Could it have just one solution? Some clients and fashion students have asked me about my design process. (For me, their questioning itself is recognition of the work I create, so a huge thank you!) How do I design fashion? - this is rather difficult to answer, as a design process is personal and often expresses itself differently.

On UNDRESSED today, I lay out my industry experiences to converse on this weighty topic, intentionally urging you to be conscious of the “art” of designing fashion - yours or that of another creator. I hope this little episode speaks much more than its minutes to you!

Thank you for listening in! Would you like to share insights on your own creative process, or do you have any questions about designing fashion? You can write to me at [email protected] or share them in the comments below. You could also connect with me on my Instagram page Save Sustain Survive where I address human aspects of fashion and arts.

The UnDressed podcast debates on  and discusses crucial fashion industry subjects that are often swept behind its glamorous front. To know more, do give a listen to the previous episodes available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

Stay tuned for the next episode and … remember to stay fashionably you!

The music for this show is by QubeSounds on Pixabay.

Disclaimer: The content on this episode rides on my two decade long experience as a bespoke fashion creator, and is not prescribed as a fashion guide by a fashion council; not yet at least. 

‘Is Fashion A Barometer Of Mental Health?’ 

Think about it. When we choose subtle or bling, or loud pop, as our fashion choices, we are saying something - ‘I feel sophistication, or I feel vibrant, or rebellious, or perhaps quiet in a shell’. Even what we choose to lounge in at home - the color, material, worn out or new, sweats or PJs, defines our choice of ‘comfort’. I often receive requests to create fashion looks to emulate styles endorsed by celebrities. It makes me wonder why, especially when the personality and the requested fashion conflict with each other. 

I can think of none more qualified than Aparna Sharma to unravel that ‘why’ - what instigates our fashion choices? Aparna is a trailblazer in Mental Health Sciences, having introduced the Integrative Intervention Model in her counseling therapies way back in 2012. With more than two decades of experience as Psychotherapist, Mental Health Counselor, and Corporate Coach, she brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Aparna established her practice Anantham Mind Studio in 2010 in New Delhi, India. She also offers online consultations worldwide.

On UnDressed I peel the superficial layers of Fashion. Check out the previous episode for a quick introduction. UnDressed is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. I am your host Aparna (I share the same name as our guest!); you can share your questions or thoughts on this episode in the comments below, or write to me at [email protected] . I am eager to hear from you! You can find me on Instagram - Save Sustain Survive where I highlight the human aspects of ‘creating’. 

Thank you for being here! This was the first ‘guest episode’ on UnDressed! Stay tuned for the next - a solo narrative by me. Until then, remember to stay ... fashionably you! x

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this podcast are solely mine and of the participant. Our intention is to provoke retrospection and create awareness.

Welcome to UNDRESSED-the Fashion Edit! 

On this show, my guests and I dive into the substratum of Fashion beneath chic clothes, satin bows, and the allure. My intent to produce this podcast is to spotlight the underlying imprints of fashion on its own ecosystem and on global levels - to applaud its progressive attributes, and address its unfavorable drills. 

My fashion career of 25 years has experienced different terrains of the industry: design student, fitting model, backstage assistant, assistant to couture designers, and my own bespoke fashion and embroidery studio; recently embracing tech and digital as the current fashion evolution. I bring these experiences to the table, ready to have them sliced open, and explore more, with experts from industries interconnected with Fashion. 

The Fashion world is dynamic, webbed intensively as much as it is increasingly expansive. Which is what makes the backstage more thrilling than its front-end glamour. What makes a trend? Is a sustainably conscious wardrobe practical? Who made my tee - should I know? There are a gazillion questions and impressions that seem too subtle or too distant to address. I bring them out on this show so that when we choose a fashion product, we see something beyond its design and label.

Thank you for being here! You can write to me at [email protected] for any questions or aspects of fashion you would like addressed on this show. You could check out my Instagram page Save Sustain Survive https://www.instagram.com/savesustainsurvive where I address human aspects of fashion.

The music for this show is by QubeSounds on Pixabay.

Stay tuned for the next episode … and stay fashionably you x