Anyone who knows Antar Agni would vouch that it stands for responsible, homegrown, gender fluid and powerful fashion, and the design label’s summer 2019 collection – Into The Light – takes that brilliance a notch higher. The unisex line comprises free-falling silhouettes, therapeutic colour schemes and natural fabrics. The label’s founder, Ujjawal Dubey, uses his undying love for textile as a tool to promote both individuality and freedom as expressions to live by, and takes us behind the journey of his inspiring brand.
The Beginning and Evolution
Antar - Agni means 'the fire within'. It is all about the human self and the expression of emotions, psyche, behaviour and experience. I started my label in March 2014 and a lot has changed since then. There is a newfound love for business and a sense of freedom that I have achieved in terms of creative experiments. We have a larger team of people now, and have definitely won over a lot of inner inhibitions.
The Inspiration and The Moods
Throughout the years, I have made it a point to follow my current state of mind (I'm a moody person). The fabric has been, and remains, our hero. The layers and drapes along with graphic compositions form a colour block while making the garments help us get closer to our mood. The key remains to connect to my audience as much as I can, from the tiniest detail of skin exposure to the neckline and the way the layers fall on the body and the mystery around it. We have always focused on making clothes that are personality enhancing. Wearability has been our rule and we have always worked around that.
The Role Models
My roled models are Steve McCurry and Yohji Yamamoto, Japan.
Into the light – Into individuality
The collection was born out of the need for simplicity and freedom. Every garment speaks of acceptance and individuality, making each drape an expression of freedom; freedom from the constraints of gender, impatience, fear, and other obstacles we emerge out of in order to be our true selves.
The designs are an ode to individual strength of personality, encouraging interchangeability. Elevating traditional craftsmanship with soft layers and signature structures, the collection features a line of jackets, kurtas and layered trousers in natural fabrics that reflect the colours of rivers, thickets, deserts and summer skies. Through this collection we celebrate the balance of quietitude in nature and ourselves, journeying against the narrow confines of gender. So, twin with your partner, borrow from them, exchange pieces from your wardrobe, we've aimed at making that a possibility.
Ujjawal Dubey
The Way Forward
Men's fashion has been on the move and is constantly changing. The acceptance level has gone up and the belief in sensible and smart clothing has made more impact than before. Androgyny and gender fluid fashion are the language of the day. This has been one of the major shifts. Also, we see men coming out of the basic T-shirts and shirts pattern and moving more towards experimenting in terms of silhouettes and drapes, both in formal and casual wear.
There are a few things we have in the pipeline involving a few craft clusters. We're excited to get started on this.
Text Priyanshi Jain