VARUN BAHL

THE DESIGN STALWART CHATS WITH HELLO! ABOUT NEW AVENUES, TRENDS, WEDDINGS AND WHY FLOWERS WILL ALWAYS BE HIS SIGNATURE MOTIF

- AISHWARYA DRAVI

The wedding and festive season is here, and this designer is beads deep in beautiful creations and exquisite décor because he does it all. Couture collections that are ethereal, prêt pieces that are fun and filled with colour, and wedding décor that’s one of a kind. Varun Bahl is a wizard, so to speak, when it comes to all things weddings.

Couture, prêt, weddings— you’ve dabbled in a lot. Any aspect that you’ve wanted to get into but haven’t yet?

Yes, there are two things that I’ll do now. One is home interiors. I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time. And jewellery. Both will, of course, be part of the Varun Bahl label.

What was the inspiration behind your Fall 2021 couture collection?

I’ve always stressed that couture, for me, is not only bridal wear but also a part of it for sure. But in India, that’s how it’s perceived. So none of the pieces in my collection are bridal wear, but everything is occasion wear that is specially crafted and meticulously made. The other inspiration is the youth of today. They’re well-travelled, fit, health-conscious, fashion-conscious, and they think very differently. There’s also a change in the way people are dressing now, and I wanted to explore that. Luckily, it worked out beautifully.

Florals always feature in your designs. Is there a deeper meaning there?