Celebrating the diversity of Indian art and craft techniques while blending them with a modern, international vibe, Chandrima Agnihotri founded her namesake label Chandrima in 2019. Debuting with her very first collection in the Gen-Next category of Lakme Fashion Week the same year, Chandrima has chartered her territory amongst the fashion fraternity with her strong design aesthetics. The designer graduated from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai, and went on to intern with the pioneers of the Indian fashion industry, Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla. She then went on to start her career with fashion stalwart Rohit Bal, working as a senior designer for six years. Chandrima then took her hard earned learnings to establish her own label and took a step forward towards her ambition.

Chandrima launched her ready-to-wear brand immediately with Ensemble post her Lakme Fashion Week appearance. Cherishing the relationship Ensemble had with the designer from her Rohit Bal days, she found the association empowering. Nurturing its roots with the #EnsembleIncubator programme, today the exclusive collection by the designer can be found across all Ensemble stores and our online website ensembleindia.com. Sharing her enthusiasm related to this partnership Chandrima says, “At the starting point of our journey as a label, it was one of our prime goals to associate with a great name like Ensemble, being India’s leading designer platform in the luxury retail market and housing some of the biggest brands in Indian fashion. Since our collaboration, we are elated and truly proud to be a part of the Ensemble family as it is one of the very few brands today who always empower and embolden young talent and have shown complete trust in us by building a strong relationship at the very beginning of our journey.”

Chandrima’s design philosophy behind the label is cross-cultural folk; presenting traditional India in new silhouettes. Her work is a blend of Indian handloom and craftsmanship and international silhouettes. Taking inspiration from distinctive embroidery techniques popular for years with the Jat community of Kutch, Chandrima worked on her first collection. Culling out motifs, cross stitch, fabrics and design inspired by the nomadic tribe of the Bhujodi Village in Gujarat, she connected her vision, aesthetic and tailoring excellence to develop this line which is an ode to the folklore of India. She used techniques of Indian craft like silk thread hand embroidery, smocking and cord work in geometrical patterns combined with European lace hand cutwork; every piece has its individual form while still offering global appeal. The collection embodies the cultural richness of India. With its exclusive design approach, premium fabrics, classic silhouettes and global appeal, the label has sown the seeds to be a luxury label from the very beginning.

Working in a sustainable context and drawing inspiration from rural households of Bhujodi, Chandrima used kala cotton and a coarser version of handloom cotton to develop her inaugural line. She made her summer jackets out of organic, breathable cotton which complement the fall of the fabric. Translating heavy Indian embroideries on western cuts, the brand offers a mix of jumpsuits, skirts, tops, jackets and trench coats. Sticking to regular silhouettes and experimenting with the flow of garments, Chandrima has done beautiful dress kurtas to complete the line, engaging both an Indian and western audience. Being a versatile choice, these dress kurtas work as a perfect option for a morning pooja or festival when paired with ankle length pants, but they are also a fun boho chic choice when worn as a dress for a casual lunch or beach party. Exaggerated sleeves, high smocked necks and striking contrast embroideries are the USP of the label’s garments.

A handcrafted cutwork trench coat from the brand is an apt travel companion and will be treasured for years. A belted, fitted jumpsuit is a standout western option for a brunch or bohemian themed bachelorette. The traditional thread embroidered lehengas are appropriate to add to your bridal trousseau. Paired with contrasting smocked tops or a white shirt for a haldi or sangeet, the lehengas are a chic choice to wear for a reception or destination wedding when combined with the strappy quilted choli offered by the brand. Exploring a classic yet vibrant and versatile colour palette, Chandrima worked with ivory, black, mustard, red and sage green for her first collection. The dressier tops from the brand work as a formal option when paired with pants or skirts, yet they are also a fun choice when worn over denims for a day out. The quilted choli from the brand can be styled with a fully embellished sari for a cocktail.

Be it casual day wear, brunches, theme parties, formal dinners, resort wear, evening parties, festivals, ceremonies or even wedding functions, Chandrima as a brand will have something for you to make a modern style statement using traditional elements.

SHOP CHANDRIMA JACKETS | SHOP CHANDRIMA JUMPSUITS | SHOP CHANDRIMA DRESSES & KURTA DRESSES | SHOP CHANDRIMA TOPS

For over three decades Ensemble has run stores based on curation, quality, service and trust. We thrive on discovering and promoting new talent and providing them a platform. Almost every top designer in India today has begun their journey with us. With our new online shop, we now hope to bring the Ensemble experience to all cities in India and to our worldwide community.

Shop by designer, by occasion or by category, ensembleindia.com gives you access to the latest designer collections and designer bridal clothing directly from the fashion week runway and ateliers of India’s leading designers. The Ensemble Eye section features the most authoritative curation of luxury Indian fashion by our in-house fashion editors. Create a wishlist at ensembleindia.com for our stylists to understand your style and make a shortlist for you and then book an in-store appointment via the website to try it all on! Our stylists will guide you through a delightful journey of discovering the designers and special pieces that speak to your individual style and work for your body shape and budget. Don’t live in India? Our website help chat and Whatsapp business chat are also active. If speaking on the phone is more your style, use the ‘Speak to a Stylist’ feature and call our most experienced in-house stylist Arabella at Call +91-9372742843 between 9am and 6pm IST, Monday to Saturday.

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