Elle India – July 2019

ELLE.IN 54 JULY

FIRST LOOK

LABEL TO KNOW:

MASTANI

This Australia-based label

aims to conserve the

perishing crafts of India with

its handmade creations

M

astani might come across as

another classic and structured

label at first glance. But take

a closer look, and you’ll find

exquisite Indian crafts like block

prints, chikankari and bandhani gracing

its creations. It’s barely been a year that

India-born Kudrat Makkar (28) started her

label, and it is already making waves around

the world for its seamless fusion of global

styles with traditional Indian handiwork.

For Melbourne-based Makkar, Mastani is

the catalyst to preserving the vanishing

traditional arts of India. In a quick chat with

ELLE, the designer spills all the details. 

ELLE: What inspires your pieces?

Kudrat Makkar:  Our first collection was heavily

inspired by India and the second was all

about Italian Gothic architecture. The latest

Autumn-Winter 2019 line was influenced by

the innovative mastery of Post-War Italian

artist, Alberto Burri.

ELLE: Why the name Mastani?

KM: The name ‘Mastani’

is taken from an Indian

princess who was a symbol

of strength and femininity.

My aim is to inspire confidence

and empower women to express

their multifaceted identity.

ELLE: Describe your design aesthetic.

KM: The pieces are classic and timeless. My background is

in architecture. So we experiment a lot with form, balance

and structure, which is now a signature for the label.

ELLE: Do you use traditional craftsmanship in your work?

KM: Each garment revitalises ancient Indian techniques

such as chikankari, bandhani, sheesha embroidery,

handlooming, block printing, and marble hand painting.

We want to educate consumers on slow fashion and the

importance of luxury with a strong social conscience.

ELLE: What is Mastani’s USP?

KM: We are a luxury label built on sustainability. Our

garments are constructed from Ahimsa (peace) silk as

well as wools, cotton, recycled fabrics and fabrics derived

from natural fibres. We also pride ourselves on reutilising

our textile waste. No scraps are disposed off, but stored

for finishings and trimmings on our garment bags.

— DISHARI BASU

“WE TRY TO REVITALISE

ANCIENT INDIAN

TECHNIQUES SUCH AS

CHIKANKARI & BANDHANI”

Kudrat Makkar

The A/W 2019 collection

The silhouettes are
elegant and timeless

The fine, minimal

embroidery on the

garments are all

crafted by hand

Mastani uses only natural,

eco-friendly silks such as

Eri and Tussar