Mandira Bedi launches new saree collection inspired by nature

Popular actress, TV host and sports presenter, Mandira Bedi who turned fashion designer about two years ago showcased her upcoming autumn-winter collection here, marking a debut show in her homecity.

Bedi says she has been inspired by the crisp winter air, the soft autumn hues and the colors of festivity to bring out a new autumn winter collection of sarees.

“This collection has got a little bit of everything. When I started making sarees I went very geometric. My sarees have more of strips, triangles, I have kept that but apart for that I have tried something different this time. We have gone into space of nature,” Bedi told PTI.

Each of the 16 sarees presented by the models through the evening had a story to tell. Some were a fusion of graphic designs and traditional craftsmanship; others were inspired by nature and daily life examples like traffic arrows.

“I am showing a total of 16 sarees. So four sarees connected with nature with elements of leaves, wings, flowers.

In some sarees I have gone very geometric and graphic. There are two sarees which are inspired from traffic arrows on the road which I saw when I was dropping my son off to school,” Bedi says.

At an event organised by Zoya, a chain of diamond boutiques from the House of Tata here recently Bedi displayed new geometric designs.

For the first time Bedi has also introduced a little bit of embroidery in her sarees and the blouses, which she says is the integral part of the garment, to make it more beautiful and sensual.

“I stayed away from embroidery for a while. But when I did get into it, it had to be in keeping with my aesthetic sensibility. I could get inspiration from just about anywhere.

Nature, geometric patterns you see in every day life,” Bedi says. .
or the glamorous TV personality the look and fall of the saree holds the the key to show off the curves of the wearer.

And for that she works only with fabrics such as crepes, satins, very fine silks and nets mixing and matching various materials.

“I like to believe that my sarees are sexy and wearable! Over the years I have worn so many sarees, that I know the fabrics that flatter the form well. I make sarees only in the kind of fabrics that drape well, and have a nice fall and feel.

“Fabrics that fluff up and make you feel a few sizes bigger are a no-no for me! That apart I don’t shy away from color. Indian women carry off color so beautifully. So flattering, effective sarees in bold and beautiful color, is what I have to offer,” she says.

Despite hailing for Delhi, Bedi is yet to open a flagship store here but promises to come up with a retail option soon.

“I have a store in Mumbai but I think now I should have a store in Delhi too. I hope I can surprise my customers here soon enough. I am also thinking of getting into bridal now.

There are certain thoughts in the pipeline,” says Bedi.

Inputs by PTI