Imagine remodeling on a regular basis materials into uncommon and craft-oriented items by way of intricate textures and a considerate method in direction of design, the place even leftover materials discover new life. That is the essence of ILK, a design label began by two buddies over a decade in the past.
Shikha Grover and Vinita Adhikari, who found an instantaneous alignment in their aesthetics whereas working collectively beneath one other designer, say that the delivery of ILK was remarkably spontaneous. This preliminary togetherness mirrors the which means they later discovered in their model title. “It means a clan, a community and this has been part of our ethos since the beginning,” says Shikha. Over the years, ILK has advanced from experimenting with various supplies — even “cycle spokes, nuts, and bolts” — to establishing itself in the luxury-casual intersection, with a concentrate on comfy and distinctive designs.
Mutualism
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Their newest collection, Mutualism, attracts from the deep-rooted bond of interdependence in Nature. “You know how a specific type of bird feeds on the parasites and worms on a zebra’s skin? It helps the zebra keep its skin clean. They are dependent on each other. Even in our society, we have different communities coming together and depending on each other, and that’s where this concept comes from,” says Vinita. This idea of interconnectedness extends to their broader philosophy of group too.
ILK has launched this collection in Chennai at multi-brand design retailer Collage this week. “We have done a few events in Chennai before, and the fashion sensibility of the city is very on-brand for us. I feel like the design aesthetic of Chennai is subtle, and they are conscious about the kind of fabrics they choose. We do some breezy, comfortable fabrics, and it suits the city well,” says Shikha, including that consolation has all the time been a high precedence.
“We do try to wear each product ourselves first to see how it is feeling from inside. We check to see if there are a lot of raw edges on the inside, and if we are able to slip in and out of it comfortably,” says Shikha.
Mutualism
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The items in Mutualism are constituted of leftover items of material, introduced collectively rigorously by making use of a way of aesthetic that makes each bit distinctive. “We have done appliquéing work on them to create texture. It is sustainable and there is less wastage. The product comes out looking unique,” says Vinita. Some clothes characteristic layers of sheer and strong materials stitched into patterns that mimic flowers, shrubs and bushes, whereas others are adorned with motifs which can be a nod to the animal kingdom, with zebra and cheetah skin-like texture. The impact is delicate, however speaks volumes — of stability, relationship, and co-creation.
Mutualism by ILK is on show at Collage, Chennai. Shop the collection beginning ₹8,500.
Published – April 25, 2025 04:59 pm IST
