Fashion designers Anavila Misra and Yash Patil share a love for modernising Indian crafts
What happens when two fashion designers sit down to challenge each other and their own ideas? A dialogue that sees tradition clash against transformation, shaped by individuality and collective expression. We asked fashion designers Anavila Misra and Yash Patil to decipher their revivalist approach to textile traditions. Let their free-flowing conversations fuel your creative fire.
Marriage of traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques
Anavila Misra: I grew up on a campus in Karnal where boys became engineers and girls became doctors. Fashion design was unknown, but my mother had a background in fine arts and was a big influence in my life. So for me, traditional crafts are about love. If you spend time looking at an old textile, you will always discover something new, like a hidden pattern in a corner or irregular symmetry. There’s magic in that imperfection and that’s what makes it special.
Yash Patil: It was the same for me. My grandmother wore a nine-yard traditional sari every day. Seeing her move with such ease in all that fabric left a lasting impression. My fascination with antiques is due to her. I was so invested that she called me an “antique piece”. I collected textiles, pleated skirts and beaten brass utensils. At the time I didn’t know what to do with them, but then they became the foundation of my brand.
Navigate social media
PJ: Social networks have changed the situation. I started by sharing my graduation collection and, a few months later, I received requests from stylists and clients. It is a powerful platform to showcase honest, quality work and connect with a global audience.
AM: For me, it started by chance. A friend encouraged me to get started on Instagram, and that’s how I realized its reach. But it’s not just a marketing tool. It’s a way to establish personal connections with customers, since I manage my social networks myself most of the time.
Explore the new
AM: My approach is to reinterpret old techniques and aesthetics in a modern context, taking something timeless and giving it new life. In our recent collection, we used zari and spun silk to create effortless silhouettes while preserving the essence of these materials. Likewise, Chettinad-inspired designs have been reinvented in contemporary outfits, blending tradition and innovation.
