Rimzim Dadu: Contemporary Indian Couture Is Not About Abandoning Heritage
Rimzim Dadu will unveil her collection, OXYNN, at the Hyundai India Couture Week, an initiative of FDCI in association with Reliance Brands.
Rimzim Dadu will unveil her collection, OXYNN, at the Hyundai India Couture Week, an initiative of FDCI, in association with Reliance Brands, on July 29, 2025, at the Taj Palace, New Delhi.
A modern couture story woven from memory and metal, Rimzim Dadu's collection draws inspiration from the fierce, untamed spirit of Gujarat's Banjara tribes.
Rimzim Dadu shares with News18 the art behind mastering wearability and functionality, celebrating the spirit and craftsmanship of the Banjara tribe, and how contemporary Indian couture is about honouring the past and shaping what comes next.
You have mastered the art of balancing sculptural expressions with wearability. What's the secret?
The key lies in textile engineering and building each garment from the material upward. At our studio, every piece begins with experimentation, exploring how steel cords, metallic wires, or hand-developed textiles can hold form while still moving with the body. Sculptural doesn't mean unwearable. Our goal is to create garments that are structured yet never restrictive. Wearability and functionality are central to our process. I want our pieces to be cherished in people's wardrobes as well as find their place in museum collections.
OXYNN doesn't seek to replicate the Banjara aesthetic. It draws inspiration from their spirit, craftsmanship, adornment, and ethos. Their mirrored textiles, oxidised jewellery, and layered silhouettes provided a powerful starting point. We abstracted these elements into our design vocabulary. Mirrors became reflective metal surfaces, jewellery was reimagined through delicate cord work, and their nomadic layering was interpreted through sculptural, architectural forms. It is a conversation between legacy and evolution.
What specific characteristics of the tribe have you incorporated in the collection?
The Banjaras' tactile craftsmanship, textured layering, and ornamental use of oxidised metal deeply influenced OXYNN. You'll see layered constructions, sculptural volumes, and metallic textiles that reference traditional mirror work. Patola-inspired motifs from the region are fused with mirror and Bandhani detailing using our signature cords. Jewellery-inspired forms are embedded directly into the textiles. Even the surface techniques reflect their visual identity, interpreted through a more industrial, modern lens.
Tell us about the palette that celebrates the inspiration but also mirrors your vision for Indian brides and beyond.
The colour palette was designed to feel both lived-in and powerful, like aged metal that carries memory. Oxidised silvers, burnished golds, deep reds, and jewel-toned midnight hues evoke a quiet regality. It reflects a bride who honours tradition but confidently chooses individuality. It is also intended for anyone seeking couture that is rooted but not restricted by convention.
Shapes and motifs you have introduced in the collection that complete the story.
The silhouettes range from sculpted lehengas and engineered blouses to metallic pre-draped saris, modular bombers, and sharply tailored suits. The motifs are intentionally non-floral, drawn from oxidised surfaces, tribal coins, cracked textures, and shield-like forms. These references are abstracted into wire structures, layered cords, and three-dimensional weaves. The result is an armour-like couture vocabulary that is protective, expressive, and deeply intentional.
A space for thoughtful transformation. It is not about abandoning heritage, but evolving it. Contemporary Indian couture moves beyond bridal embellishment to become a medium of experimentation, where handwork meets industrial material and cultural memory intersects with modern construction. For me, it is a dialogue between restraint and expression, edge and emotion. It is about honouring the past while shaping what comes next.
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First Published:
July 29, 2025, 11:41 IST
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