Fashion Designer Rupam Grewal blends the vibrancy of traditional outfits with a Westernized feel

Aakanksha Sareen and Rupam K Grewal

Chandigarh: To break the humdrum and keep the spirits alive during the festive season amid the ongoing pandemic, couturier Rupam K Grewal founder of ‘Jaamawar Minx'(JM) a Punjab grown up-market traditional Indian Haute Couture label, showcased two breathtaking & exquisite ‘festive collections’ - ‘Mulberry Tales' and 'Star Dust' at the swank & opulent Jaamawar Minx studio in Elante Mall. 

The exquisite collections were adorned by Aakanksha Sareen, a well known Punjabi film actress and who has featured as the female lead in several Punjabi songs with famous singers, the 'Mitti 2' actress will soon be featured in another Punjabi film 'Gurmukh'.

Rupam, who is mainly known for her intricate bridal ensembles, has experimented this festive season with more Western-looking collections, but which have that Indian feel & style, which Rupam has perfected.  

Rupam, who is a gifted designer and has worked with various types of embroidery for over 15 years said, “We have come up with beautiful & ethereal attires for the upcoming festivals, wedding events like mehndi, reception etc. For 'Karwa Chauth' we have some unique lighter dresses with different styles and modern cuts. The USP of the Mulberry tales collection certainly is the use of the world’s finest Real Silk (Mulberry) in the creations which have been given a finish with imported laces.”

Rupam also shared some fashion do's and don'ts for married women who will be observing the Karwa Chauth fast.

She added, "Red is not compulsory to wear during Karwa Chauth, one should focus on going in for vibrant colours, some happy & beautiful yellows, pinks, oranges, greens are also good choices. The dress should not weigh the lady down and also needs to come into reuse after Karwa Chauth. We have some nice options for Karwa dressing in the latest collections."

Meanwhile, informing about her collection ‘Star Dust’ she said, “In a creation Tulle fabric has been used with delicate lacework at the neck, which is highlighted with thread and hand-cut sequins, hand embroidery and has a sheer back. It can be paired with a straight JM Salwar in real Mulberry silk crepe with cutwork and has a tulle dupatta with lace and badla jaal work.”

 In the 'Mulberry Tales' a dress made with lace fabric has a kurta showcasing cut-dana, glass-tube and lacework hand embroidery which makes it more elegant in style. It is paired with a Banarsi neemzari gharara that has lace edging and has a beautiful tulle dupatta that consists of real freshwater pearls, Swaroski, glass-tube and hand-cut sequins embroidery.

Another dress in the  'Mulberry Collection' - is a shirt in a crepe fabric with thread, dabka, gotta and tube work and hand embroidery. It is paired with flared pants and has a contrast colour tulle dupatta. There is a sharara also in this style.

The dress genres in both collections include stylish dresses like gowns, enticing tops, straight pants, shirts with collars - but not the typical kameez, embroidered cutwork salwars and straight salwars too.

Rupam has taken special care to create beautiful silk masks of vibrant colours as this new fashion accessory gains popularity amid the pandemic. Summed up Rupam, "We have fashionable silk masks to match outfits. Reliable studies have shown that silk is a material which does counter virus infection by not allowing the pathogens to stick onto the fabric."