Shades of India

“While all the flowers and trees do close

To weave the garlands of repose!”

Shades of India’s SS 21 collection has been inspired by Andrew Marvel’s poem  which is one of the most famous in the English language. Though written in the 16th century it has a very contemporary appeal. The Garden for the poet is the focus of repose. He tells  us to remove ourselves from the noise and bustle of life, from daily cares and concerns, from the turbulence and strife around us. We need to compose our minds, live to the rhythm of nature, enjoy its gifts of fruit and flowers. We should, he says in another famous line from the poem, annihilate “all that 's made , to a green thought in a green shade.” To think gentle thoughts, as the earth blooms beneath our feet.

 This collection celebrates the garden and the peace of a summer’s afternoon. It has been made with love and created in fabrics that are suited to the weather and sway with you. The gossamer chanderi, translucent silk organza and airy cotton have been made even more special with hand painted flowers that have been digitally re-created. The designs have charming embellishments in the form of fabric flowers, hand tucked trimmings with highlights of bead work and thread embroidery. The silhouettes reflect the colours of the season,  in shades of blue, yellow, rose pink and lilac.

As Andrew Marvell says in the poem:

“How could such sweet and wholesome hours

Be reckon'd, but with herbs and flowers!”