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Somya Goyal was the closing designer at the Lakme Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 in late March. The Nexa Spotlight award-winning designer’s name was unfamiliar to many in attendance, but not for long. As someone excited by young, homegrown brands, I had done my share of research and gotten insights on the brand from her publicist, who is a good friend. The friend also sent a piece from Somya’s collection to wear to the show. It was one of those movie fashion journalist scenarios. Standing in my black organza saree detailed with recycled PVC cords in hues of white to blue from Somya, I had met a friend, who introduced me to his friend (as is the norm in spaces like this), who told me people ought to expect great things out of Somya and her show, as someone who was closely familiar with her work.
Held in the Atelier venue where the more avant-garde shows were hosted at the fashion week, the set was futuristic in all the best possible ways. Since launching her eponymous label in 2019, she has worked with unconventional materials and turned them into garments that are novel in their textural experimentation and conceptual depth.
Somya Goyal's foray into fashion was influenced by her upbringing, surrounded by her family's garment manufacturing business in New Delhi. Surrounded by textiles, threads, and materials galore, she developed an early appreciation for the intricacies of garment construction. This foundational experience was furthered through formal education at Pearl Academy, Delhi, and a subsequent course in styling and marketing at Central Saint Martins, London. Her internships with notable homegrown brands like Bodice, where she cultivated her design philosophy centred on material exploration and emotional resonance over perfection, set the path for her current practice.
Through her body of work, the signature of Somya’s designs is her use of materials like recycled PVC cords, metallic wires, horsehair sheets, and jute. These elements are not just aesthetic choices but integral to her designs that are narrative-driven, but also develops from her fascination for surface exploration. Her signature textures and layers crafted from hand-woven PVC cords, have become emblematic of the brand's identity. "We use recycled PVC cord to develop and innovate techniques and surface textures, which is the USP of the brand," she explained. These same PVC cords were used to demarcate the runway from those of the audience area at her recent Lakme Fashion Week show.
The Pivot Collection, PVC Cord Details And More
Somya's latest collection, 'Pivot', showcased at Lakmé Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025, marked a crucial moment in her creative journey where her material exploration and conceptual study overlapped. The collection drew inspiration from the concept of transformation and adaptability, reflecting the dynamic nature of contemporary life. "With 'Pivot,' I wanted to explore the idea of change — not just in fashion but in our lives. The pieces are designed to be versatile, allowing the wearer to adapt them to different contexts and moods," she shared.
The collection featured garments that could be styled in multiple ways, emphasizing functionality without compromising on aesthetics. Somya's commitment to sustainability was evident in her choice of materials, including her signature recycled PVC cords and eco-friendly textiles. "We believe that one should live with a garment for years and explore the garment as and when one wears it. With each detail, we try to add layers of emotions and a personal touch," she notes.
But working with unconventional materials like recycled PVC cords has not been without its challenges. "Since it's a very unconventional material, nobody was ready to work with the material, whether it was stitching masters or embroiderers, or whoever we would ever connect with," Somya shared. It took time and effort to train artisans to work with these materials, but the results have been heartening. "Now we see the artisans we work with talk about how different it is, how unique it is, how playful it is - it's absolutely rewarding to help them understand and express ideas together with them," she added.
The path that Somya Goyal is building for herself through innovation, resilience, and a commitment to sustainability in the realm of fashion, is one worthy of all the accolades she has been receiving. And the work she is doing with her label in challenging conventional practices offers a fresh perspective on contemporary fashion.
Follow Somya Goyal here.
