SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE

From mastering the art of holidaying, democratising swimsuits in a conservative country to helping women love their bodies, a conversation with luxury designers Shivan and Narresh on 15 years of learnings as India's foremost holiday wear label

- PRIYAMVADA RANA

SHIVAN Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja backpack almost 10 times a year. From surfing in Phuket, chasing the nocturnal glow of moonlight at Sri Lanka's beaches, to sailing away along the Gulf Of Oman and rolling on a tomato-pulp-smeared floor at Spain's Tomatina festival—the designer duo lives life like a "big" holiday.

"I want to wake up every day feeling that same spark, zest and curiosity that one feels on a vacation. You are in high spirits on holidays. You embrace new things—people, culture, places, and I want to experience that unfamiliar wonder throughout my life," says Narresh, who prefers to travel light as a way of "unburdening" himself. Shivan, on the other hand, is a hoarder collecting everything from art pieces, fabrics, and yarns, to candles, and small totems on his travels. "I travel inwards when I am at mountains or beaches, and outwards when I am in a new city," he adds.

This month, as the duo marks 15 years as an unrivalled holiday wear label, they had gala celebrations at Gulmarg in Kashmir marking the launch of their new collection. "For the anniversary, we wanted to bring the joy of winter holidays. I have been to the French Alps and Europe to ski so many times. But you can't even compare it to what we have in our own country—I was blown away by Gulmarg's breathtaking beauty," says Narresh, adding that a unique location accentuates the experience of the art of holidaying which forms their label's DNA.