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Virsheté is a Mumbai based uber cool ready-to-wear fashion label that was kickstarted in 2019 by fashion designer and creative director, Vir Shete.
With women’s day around the corner, this is the perfect time to pamper yourself with a chic blend of contemporary design and thoughtful investment pieces that are sure to work well with all your glam soirees or that cocktail party you’re looking forward to!
The brand claims to source an amalgam of eastern, western, and local influences into an identity that’s distinct and refined, yet universal, and relatable. This upcoming label is all about power dressing in an urban sophisticated way. Their ready-in-a jiffy- pantsuits and coords are dressy and functional all at the same time giving you an effortlessly put-together look.
We got candid about the label’s distinct imprint on the fashion industry and unique design voice. Here’s the inside scoop!
HG: What was the motivation behind starting VIRSHETÉ and how did your journey begin?
Vir Shete: My journey started at the age of 16 while dabbling with various roles within the fashion and beauty industries alongside my education. I realised early on that I wanted to pursue design and went on to study Womenswear at the London College of Fashion. Following a well-received graduate collection, I moved to Tokyo to work as designer and then a creative director for various Japanese fashion houses, finally reaching a point in 2018 when the time felt right to take the next step in my career and launch VIRSHETÉ.
HG: Can you tell us a little bit about the concept behind the label and how it came into existence? What does the label’s uber-cool name represent - is there an underlying backstory to it?
VS: VIRSHETÉ is a high-end ready-to-wear label with an aesthetic that echos my own; fashion-forward yet functional, strong yet feminine, sexy yet sophisticated, and cosmopolitan yet classic. The brand focuses on investment pieces that personify the empowered, international woman of today, and synergises my eastern, western, and local influences into an identity that’s distinct and refined, yet universal and relatable. The uber-cool name comes about from my own - Vir Shete - but as one word and with an accent to get the pronunciation right - ‘veer-shay-tay’.
HG: VIRSHETÉ is a homegrown brand that delves into artisanal prints modelled into contemporary garments. What are some of the influences and inspirations behind the brand’s visual style and aesthetic?
VS: I like to challenge myself by exploring something new with each collection, often drawing from a variety of sources such as identity and culture, street style and sportswear, architecture and technology, and travel - both literally and through life. Fashion is a reflection of our times and I find myself increasingly channelling my personal experiences in recent times - my last collection was inspired by my late mother, while the one before drew from my time in Japan.
HG: What according to you sets your label apart from the rest of the fashion industry in India, or beyond?
VS: A distinct identity in an oversaturated marketplace. It appears that in India one is either doing bridal or fast fashion. There seems to be a significant market gap in-between, with very few, mostly young designers doing noteworthy ready-to-wear pieces, which is what the woman of today wants and wears as it’s most relevant to her lifestyle.
HG: Please give us a brief insight into your creative process while designing a collection.
VS: I have a very systematic creative process, which takes from my time at the London College of Fashion. Everything I do is a part of the process and a generous amount of time is spent each season in research, development, technical experimentation, and prototyping. What I create needs to have meaning, excitement, and relevance both to me and my customer. As with any creative, there are days that you’re faced with a block. I’ve learnt to take a step back, reflect, and return afresh, instead of forcing inspiration and productivity, which needs to happen organically for it to shine.
HG: The brand features some unabashedly bold prints and fun silhouettes. Can you tell us a little more about the ideation behind creating such unique, statement pieces? What has been your favourite collection/creation you have released so far and why?
VS: Every collection is special but if I had to pick a favourite, it would be our latest 2021 ready-to-wear collection, Neela. A homage to my late mother, the collection draws from her prime in the 70s, the relationships she most valued, the legacy of inspiration that she left behind, and her enlightened, liberated, larger-than-life personality that was way beyond her times. The collection was a very personal one that I, as a creative, needed to do to process an irreplaceable loss and commemorate her in a way that felt most meaningful to me. I love working with directional shapes and materials, and the bold prints that you speak of are handloom brocades, inspired by my mother on her wedding day.
Check out the label here.
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