In Greek mythology, the nine Muses were the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory, who were born from their union over nine consecutive nights. They were the goddesses of inspiration — worshipped as the divine source of creativity, guiding poets, musicians, and thinkers to produce works of great beauty and wisdom. The Muses embodied the belief that artistic and intellectual pursuits were gifts from the gods, linking human imagination to the divine.
Homegrown fashion label Cord's 'The Muse - Festive '25' collection is an ode to a divine spirit of imagination and creativity. Drawing inspiration from acclaimed actor Tillotama Shome ('Paatal Lok', 'Sir') as titualr 'Muse', the collection celebrates the stage — influenced by the grandeur of art, theatre, cinema, and timeless performance. Using silks and cottons, which gracefully capture light and shadow, the collection embodies Cord's philosophy of conscious fashion. The garments drape with the drama of costume while maintaining everyday elegance.
At its core, The Muse is about reimagining the poetry and drama of costume for contemporary living. Each piece is a tribute to artisanal craftsmanship, beginning as an original sketch and a hand-painted artwork, and eventually evolving into garments of enduring beauty. This journey from canvas to cloth is one of artisanal devotion — smocking lends movement, embroidery carries narratives in thread, and detailing recalls traditions revived for the present. The result is a collection that carries theatrical grandeur but remains grounded in wearability, whether for festive soirées, intimate gatherings, or elevated everyday rituals.
Tillotama Shome, with her reputation for inhabiting complex characters, embodies the ethos of The Muse. Styled by Shivani Joshi (@sculpt.ing_) and photographed by Dolly Devi (@doblist), she lends the campaign a sensibility that mirrors the collection's philosophy: clothing as performance, as identity, and as a form of expression. As an actor, Shome has always resisted easy categorisation. In an industry that thrives on typecasting, she has built a career through choices that are unpredictable, introspective, and fiercely intelligent. From her breakout role in Mira Nair's 'Monsoon Wedding' to acclaimed turns in 'Qissa', 'Sir', 'Paatal Lok' and 'Baksho Bondi' (Shadowbox), her performances shimmer with intensity and invention.
As Shome wears the crown of Cord's muse for the Festive '25 collection, she embodies the very ethos of the label. In her presence, The Muse becomes what its name promises: a celebration of inspiration itself.
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