Pankaj & Nidhi present 'Talisman' with R-Elan at Lakme Fashion Week digital

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Oct 23, 2020

Design duo Pankaj & Nidhi collaborated with sustainable textiles brand R-Elan for a second season and presented new collection ‘Talisman’ with a digital showcase at Lakme Fashion Week on Thursday.

 
On day two of Lakme Fashion Week’s first digital and season-fluid edition, its second day dedicated to sustainable fashion, Pankaj & Nidhi presented a womenswear collection designed to transition from home to the office. The collection was created using R-Elan textiles, one made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and another that has anti-bacterial properties.
 
Talisman had a colour palette of peach tones, neutrals and pastel blue for a retro feel. Sheer voluminous blouses were paired with weighty, full skirts and power suit sets made a bold statement. The brand developed a signature photographic print for the collection which featured across its garments and on bags and luggage.

“There are photographic prints evocative of a certain nostalgia from the 50s but also brings a bit of a smile to your face,” designer Pankaj told Lakme Fashion Week in a video.

With comfortable, relaxed silhouettes and smart-casual options including jumpsuits, the collection is designed for life in the ‘new normal’.
 
“We want to express a feeling of wellness because we are still healthy, we are still here,” said designer Nidhi.

“We want to make clothes which are very very comfortable- you could work from home, you could go out for a work meeting, you could go to the office for a few hours, you could be wherever.”
 
With work-from-home wear the break-out product category to come out of lockdown, the brand has adapted to evolving consumer tastes and mixed innovation with a strong commercial sense.

The collection challenged preconceptions of what sustainable fashion looks like and showcased a celebration of style and living despite the current challenges.