TWENTY YEARS Of VARUN BAHL

The couturier reflects on his major milestones and the roots of his artistic expression. Manish Mishra listens in

- Manish Mishra

C outurier Varun Bahl has never failed to make a statement with his exceptional creativity and visionary spirit. He has been consistently crafting timeless couture fantasies and visually sumptuous runway spectacles for the last two decades. More often than not, punctuated with blooms, appliqués and botanical motifs, Varun Bahl's artistic universe has been synonymous with extravagance, embellishments and romance. Evoking painterly aesthetics from the Art Nouveau period, his creations have stayed relevant since the label was launched in 2004. Clocking in 20 years is quite a milestone when one is creating ready-to-wear, couture and menswear season after season.

"Designing across couture, prêt, and menswear is both exhilarating and challenging, as each line has its own distinct energy. I do encounter creative blocks at times, but I've learned to embrace them as part of the process," Bahl says. When he feels stuck, he turns to nature and art for inspiration, allowing the beauty around him to spark ideas. Taking a step back to recharge often leads to unexpected breakthroughs, helping him reconnect with his vision and infuse fresh energy into his work.