When it comes to vintage buys in the West, the 1980s have become the new 1930s. The demand for old fashion, especially haute couture, has been led from the front by celebrities like Julia Roberts and Kate Moss to the queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese. That said, fashionistas in our country are just beginning to value vintage in modern silhouettes, even if most of us have grown up on grandma’s scalloped blouses and silk and lace saris. While actress Sonam Kapoor has been proudly wearing vintage at several public events, it seems those with similar tastes don’t have to head to Covent Garden or Portobello Road in London any-more. And that’s thanks to Ruchika Sachdeva. New fabric, old orderAn alumnus of London College of Fashion, Sachdeva has launched her flagship store in the capital, featuring jackets, pants and tops in boxy and rectangular silhouettes. Her jackets, a hit among her clients, have emphasized shoulders or chunky double breasted shapes. The designer has worked with the fashion house of Vivienne Westwood for a few months and her label, Bodice, inspired by vintage and street style, was launched in September last year at the Lakme Fashion Week, to serious fanfare. With clients like Priyanka Chopra and Sonam Kapoor, the young designer recalls, “When I was in the 11th standard, my sister, Kanika Sachdeva, was studying at NIFT, New Delhi. I used to help her finish assignments.” Her sister currently works as an accessory designer in London.The North-South divideSachdeva admits to a difference in the demand for vintage fashion in the North and South. “I find people in Delhi as trendy, but a bit conservative. In Bombay, people are more experimental when it comes to fashion. I would like to know more about the demand for my collection down South, including Chennai, as I retailed at Studio Saks last year,” says the talented designer, who admires Salvatore Ferragamo, Martin Margiela, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Little Shilpa. What to expectSachdeva’s new collection will be available at Studio Saks from February. Made from jute, khadi, silk, cotton and georgette, you will find blouses, pants, jackets, belts and accessories in understated yellow, green, grey and mustard. “I don’t like loud colours. I want to keep it understated. My collection pretty much sums up my personality and the customers who choose to wear it,” she adds.Sachdeva’s new collection is priced between `4,000 and `17,000 and will be available at Studio Saks next year.
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