The new wave of ‘vocal for local’ proved to be a boost for Indian entrepreneurs. It has promoted local businesses during COVID-19 and given customers the ability and motivation to shop locally with ease. This rebranded version of ‘Made In India’ has our support, and every month, TC46 will spotlight small businesses and ventures you can champion and back easily through online and offline purchases.
Artists, entrepreneurs, visionaries and experts, Indian women are shattering glass ceilings and breaking out of boxes. Success, tied with skills and hard work, is what makes those featured in our list today an inspiration for many. And the journey, for these women of incredible talent, are stories that must be told.
This week, here are some brands we’re cheering on; check them out!
Designer Wedding Couture by Megha & Jigar
Label Megha & Jigar is a California and New Delhi based fashion brand, formed in 2013 with a vision to embrace the beauty of Indian Heritage by infusing an aesthetic that is traditional and royal in its treatment, with a contemporary modern touch. Couturiers Megha Kumari and Jigar Mali came together to infuse a unique blend of embellishments with regal colours, delicate forms with the structure to create a label with an aesthetic, that is traditional yet royal in its treatment but with a contemporary modern touch. Refined luxury, meticulous tailoring, and classical elegance are the brand’s signature style. The use of rich plush fabrics, highly skilled karigari and perfect embroidery adorned with fine embellishments to curate the finest ensemble is their hallmark. The sole objective is to offer finesse amalgamated with Indian heritage. Creative visions of elegance and edgy grandeur, a larger than life approach to luxury, classic wedding wear have been a signature of this label.
Megha & Jigar is synonymous with rich wedding couture and impeccable style sensibilities, with creative visions of elegance and edgy grandeur. The designs project Indian wedding wear with exclusivity that is surreal in its treatment and rich in its blend of history and culture. It is the perfect combination of the uniqueness of India’s craft and tradition with the ever-changing nature of contemporary fashion that sets the pace for this label. Embracing the beauty of Indian heritage, the brand has always been closely rooted in Indian traditions and with an aim to take it forward to every modern Indian bride. They are two highly innovative designers that have come together to blend both of their strengths: creativity and passion for vintage Indian wedding couture. With traditional textiles and modern vision, they have created some of the most unique designs by adding the contemporary touch to classic elegance. Their creations are artistic, stylish, and utterly sophisticated.
Label Megha and Jigar have also exhibited at various fashion platforms such as Wedding Asia, Shaadi Festival, Pernia’s Pop-Up Show, Runway Rising, Numaish, Label Bazaar, Araaish, and Dhoom Dhaam. The label has spread its arms in Bollywood as well with renowned personalities like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vidya Balan, Tabu and many more.
Label Megha and Jigar put their price range for wedding couture between Rs 30,000 to Rs 1,50,000. These fashion pieces are available at both their national and international stores. You can check out their stunning collection on Instagram.
Luxury Baubles With A Twist by Ritu Shah Jewellery
Founded by Ritu Shah, this namesake jewellery brand was born out of pure passion and love. As a child, she was extremely attracted to her mom’s jewellery wardrobe, and her mom would include her in all her shopping. From the different cuts of diamonds to the quality, they would discuss the process, filling her with joy. As she grew up, she pursued her passion and studied jewellery designing. Being engrossed in this for hours at an end, she knew what her future held.
Having studied business management from a premium school along with a jewellery designing course in Mumbai, she went to New York for further studies. She has the pleasure of experiencing the diamond market in New York and working at a jewellery boutique in NYC. Soon her roots called her back she started her own brand, Ritu Shah Jewellery.
Ritu believes that jewellery has to be delicate and wearable. Intricate designs with beautiful colours are what comes to her mind when she designs them. Jewellery that can be worn by a young lady while going to work, jewellery that is affordable, stylish and can be easily gifted is the need of the hour. Her brand carries diamonds, gemstones and polki that are studded in pendants, rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Urban women with their own voice and style are the brand’s target audience.
The average price range of the baubles falls between Rs 30,000 to Rs 4 – 5 Lacs. You can shop at their office at Vile Parle, Mumbai and online as well. Take a sneak peek at the collection on Instagram.
Eco-Friendly Fashion by Vyoman Studio
Vyoman Studio was born out of Neena’s love for textiles and started during the lockdown. She feels that textiles can express ideas and emotions in a way that no other media can. The brand works on a plethora of techniques making products that are not only beautiful and appealing but are also practical and cost-effective. Most of the products are made from fabric scraps. At Vyoman Studio, they are on a mission to reduce the wastage caused by the textile industry. Aesthetics, functionality and eco-friendly is their mantra towards creating a greener tomorrow!
This mother-daughter run eco-friendly store has all things made with love. They are keen on creating a greener environment one beautiful product at a time. Neena is creative, talented and aesthetically inclined, her penchant for exploring new products and learning new techniques makes her products unique and special. A good movie, some needles and threads are all she needs to create magic on fabric. Vyoman Studio is her brain child through which she pursues her passion and love for her craft.
The unique personalised hand embroidered hoop art is their most loved product. The product is not just a beautiful piece of wall decor but has an emotional connect. It captures the true essence of friendship, love and relationship. The brand also specialises in embroidered face masks, fabric eye masks, hair accessories, embroidered table napkins, embroidered jute bookmarks, crochet earrings and much more. Each and every product is packaged in eco-friendly cloth bags and repurposed paper.
All the products are pocket-friendly and ideal for gifting, starting from as low as Rs 200. The bright colourful prints, techniques and uniqueness of the products make it a popular choice among those who are young at heart. You can buy the products through Amazon or on Instagram.
Want us to be VocalForLocal for your brand or know someone whose work you’d like to cheer on? Drop us an email to be featured on The Channel 46 at [email protected].