Varatanu (var - ta - nu) वरतनु - voluptuous

The philosophy of worshipping Shakti - or the feminine energy, has always existed throughout the centuries. The feminine energy is complete, enigmatic and powerful - and it is devoid of physical constructs. Over time, we seem to have become enmeshed in the thought that restricts the feminine to a particular form or with restrictive definitions of what it means to be feminine. We want to use our blog to promote the idea that Shakti, femininity, can exist in many forms, and she needs to be celebrated in all her forms. We want to see her being celebrated by learning to love our bodies. We want to show the world that voluptuousness means grace, it means being healthy, it means being brave enough to step out of the restrictive, rigid boxes we are put into. We also believe that Shakti isn’t gendered, and it is at the heart of how we reimagine our fashion. We want to create clothing that talks to the Shakti within all of us, without being bogged down by our masculine energy that is always questioning norms and acts as a catalyst to rules and discipline.

We are all, Varatanu. Read our stories here

- Mar 22, 2022
- 2 min read

Lost stories (2018) - When flashbacks are not enough

Updated: Aug 25, 2022

Lost stories (2018) was a collection inspired by our love for kashmiriyat. 1989 was the last we saw of Kashmir. It's longing outside the borders and of stories that no one tells. Inside, lifeless with dreams. Outside , hopeful with dreams. The collection was more depicted from colors of the seven chakras to find the balance from within us. To somehow, find something that's missing in us. It's a quiet yet chaotic depiction of our romance with our homeland

There is something missing when you look at each piece closely and you wouldn't know what and why

The collection is a chaotic combination of inspiration of the guelder rose (dastaan posh), periwinkles, german iris (sosan) , Lotus flower (pamposh), chinar leaf (from bouin), 7 chakra colours (for trying to find the calm and balance) and a contemporary take on fabrics of kashmir

" ...migrants leave their pasts behind, although some try to pack it into bundles and boxes-but on the journey something seeps out of the treasured mementoes and old photographs, until even their owners fail to recognize them, because it is the fate of migrants to be stripped of history, to stand naked amidst the scorn of strangers upon whom they see rich clothing, the brocades of continuity and the eyebrows of belonging..” ― Shame, Salman Rushdie (1983)

Shafa (headGear)

The Shafa is inspired by the kaleenbafi weavers of kashmir. Here the handwoven mulmul headgears stacked onto one another by Shirin Aminian

In Set Model: Oli Saw

The awkward dress inspired by geulder rose and german iris. The idea was to mix inexepensive and premium pashmina fabrics with chaotic embellishments and embroideries in order to depict the mental chaos of never being able to visit home - in all its glory. A blurred image of adundance from a child's eye

Awkward Morning Coat with strands of dislodged tilla embroidery

The shrunk take on the morning coat with strips of disloged tilla embroidery through the colors of the solar plexus and root chakra colors. In a sense the embroidery is not set in place, the chakras are imabalanced in the new place. The root chakra depicted in the shorts define feeling incomplete. The criss cross of the inshirt made from mulmul depicts the emotional, physical turmoil of having lost to an internal war

Lotus Flower Jacket

Pamposh, the lotus, in all its glory. A gift from the Gods. Here we imagine embracing it within ourselves. Absorbing all balances and downloads from the crown chakra and ending with the color of the root chakra.

Reconceptualized Concept : DREAM ALOUD @vulkanmag

Model Amrita Ganesh

Stylist Fehmin Belim

Photo Shiv Kumar Dhale

Mua Valene Dsouza

Photographer - Saurabh Stagey. Stylist: Stacey Cardoz

- Mar 2, 2022
- 1 min read

The Thought Behind Hamsa Collection

Updated: Aug 25, 2022

a capsule collection of the soul trying to find its place in this new world

the collection draws inspiration from the chakra balances of the hamsa hand and the three leaf petal that gears us toward faith, hope and love

the key concepts of hamsa are:

- up cycling old brocades sarees that are frail and to restrengthen their stories in parts for all

working with last traded cut pieces from small retailers that have found it difficult to sell , let alone sell smaller zero demand for end of roll, new pieces of fabric

- embroidered view of dried three petal leaf of hope, love and faith

- Dec 16, 2021
- 1 min read

a month to 3

Updated: Aug 24, 2022

in a month, we turn 3. on January 15, 2019 we launched our online store with a hope to connect to our clients more directly offering limited and curated options. here, showcasing some of our bestsellers over these 3 years! its been a slow journey, but one that would have been impossible without the support of our small fierce body proud community