Anavila Misra’s creations have always felt like they exist in two timelines at once. There’s a quiet nostalgia woven into her textiles, a gentle charisma in the details, and a belief that beauty doesn’t need to shout to be seen. Her saris in metallic sheens and airy weaves, feel both rooted and relevant.
Her latest collection, Sarmast (which translates to “poetically intoxicated” in Persian), unveiled at The Leela Palace in Hyderabad, continues in that spirit. A poetic fusion of fashion, memory, and mysticism, it unfolds like a sensory ode to the city’s layered charm.
There’s zari-woven linen, featherlight silks, gossamer organza, brocade, and lace. These textiles somehow feel both regal and weightless. Crochet creeps in like a handwritten love note; intimate, unhurried, and personal. The embroidery goes deeper still: ornamental floral motifs inspired by Rococo and Baroque art are reinterpreted through Indian craftsmanship. The result? Subtle drama, never excess. This is Anavila Misra’s kind of maximaism—quiet, intentional, deeply felt.
All image courtesy: Anavila Misra