- HOMEGROWN WORLD
- #HGCREATORS
- #HGEXPLORE
- #HGVOICES
- #HGSHOP
- CAREERS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
The number of times I’ve seen Van-Gogh prints available in local decor stores, and Matisse designs on tote bags are far too many to count. And beyond Raja Ravi Varma, I never really encountered any renditions or odes to great Indian painters, until recently. Truth be told, the blame might be on me. Colonial programming was deeply ingrained in me, and it wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I even knew to look around enough, to learn about legendary Indian Artists like Amrita Sher-Gill or S.H. Raza. But after discovering them, I became a fan through and through. When I chanced upon the pieces from the homegrown fashion brand Past Modern- first their Amrita Sher-Gil Tee and later their dedicated Raza collection, I was excited to finally know a brand paying homage to Homegrown greats like them.
Past Modern is an Indian fashion brand blending our culture’s rich artistic heritage with contemporary design. Founded by Shivang Chandna, the brand draws inspiration from iconic Indian artists such as Amrita Sher-Gill and S.H. Raza, aiming to create a unique identity that transcends traditional boundaries. Earlier this year, Past Modern launched the Raza collection, an ode to the Indian modernist painter Sayed Haider Raza. Raza, renowned for his vivid geometric abstracts and cultural symbolism, profoundly influenced modern Indian art. The collection seeks to distil the essence of Raza's art into wearable masterpieces, allowing sartorialists to embody his creations.
The Raza collection features intricate embellishments, vibrant prints, and tailored silhouettes. Some of the garments feature hand-embellished Bindus, meticulously crafted with tiny, precision-applied beads, reflecting Raza's iconic motifs. The collection incorporates Raza's signature colour palette - yellows, reds, blue, oranges - paired with patterns inspired by his distinctive strokes. Geometric shapes, an integral part of his style, are integrated into motifs or made into prints, for some other garments in the same collection. These design elements collectively create a visual narrative that pays tribute to the artist’s legacy while appealing to contemporary aesthetics.
A newly added range of designs in the collection includes not only ready-to-wear pieces but also a newly introduced menswear line. This inclusion merges traditional Indian artistry with modern, contemporary silhouettes, resonating with a diverse audience of varying personal styles. Past Modern’s dedication to honouring Raza's legacy is evident in its meticulous design process and finer details. Through this collection, the brand not only pays tribute to S.H. Raza’s iconic legacy also invites our generation to engage with and celebrate the profound artistry that shaped India’s cultural landscape. Essentially, the Raza collection from Past Modern bridges art from our cultural past, for our modern sartorial lives.
Follow them here.
