Fifteen years of Bodice feel like both a moment and a movement for the Founder and Creative Director, Ruchika Sachdeva, and rightly so. ‘There’s a sense of grounding in what has been built, but also an openness to what’s ahead. I have evolved in the way I approach design, in how I think about longevity, wearability, and relevance.’
Ruchika started a fashion movement with versatile, understated, but striking garments. With Bodice, she gave us luxury while doing it in a value-based manner, putting longevity, wearability, and relevance right at the core of her practice.
Recently, for her Spring/Summer Collection, Ruchika again showcased fashion that is good for the people and the planet. She joined hands with Japan-based Bemberg to create clothes with their highly eco-friendly fabric. Bemberg creates silk out of cotton. Their silk fabric is known to have the same sheen, fluidity, and other qualities. It is biodegradable, with a 100% recycled certification.
Just a few days after her show, Ruchika sat down to write about her journey and the new collaboration for Platform.
How have you evolved on his journey in fashion?
Fifteen years feels like both a moment and a movement. There’s a sense of grounding in what has been built, but also an openness to what’s ahead. I have evolved in the way I approach design, in how I think about longevity, wearability, and relevance.
In the early years, I had a certain way of rooting for perfection and wanting things to be a specific way. Now, I tend to trust my instincts more. And yes, existential moments have been inevitable, like questioning purpose and questioning pace, but I’ve come to see them as necessary. They sharpen my clarity and reaffirm why I ever started Bodice.
Bodice is an industry insider’s favourite for being luxurious while not being loud. How have you maintained that while still doing it in a value-based manner?
I believe luxury is not about excess but about refinement, about knowing when to stop, what to remove, and what to let speak. I have never been interested in trends or overstatement; my work is about creating something that stays relevant beyond a moment. I want the clothes to bring out the wearer rather than overshadow them. Values are intrinsic to that, whether it’s choosing responsible materials, designing for longevity, or respecting the craftsmanship behind every piece.
Has your creative process remained the same all along?
In essence, yes, but in practice, it has evolved. The foundation has always been starting with textiles, understanding the material before imposing form. But over time, I’ve allowed myself to take more risks, to be less polished and more instinctive. There is more rawness now, more play with contrasts and textures. The process has also become more collaborative, working closely with artisans, expanding the dialogue between past and future, traditional craft and modernity.
When did you first come across the fabric of Bemberg, and how does it enhance the aesthetics and values of Bodice?
I first explored Bemberg™ when looking for alternatives to traditionally overused materials, and the collaboration came about very organically. I had the chance to visit their facilities and see the entire process firsthand, which deepened my understanding of both the material and the philosophy behind it. What drew me in was its fluidity and its natural sheen; it takes dyes beautifully, and it moves in a way that complements Bodice’s structured yet effortless silhouettes. It also aligns with my belief in regenerative design. Bemberg™ is biodegradable, with a 100% recycled certification, which makes it a future-facing fabric at a time when we need more responsible solutions in fashion.
Did you have a set intention for your Spring/Summer Collection?
The collection is about transformation and how identity shifts, how clothing can be both familiar and new. I played with contrasts: polished and raw, structured and fluid, past and present. There’s an openness in the silhouettes: modular pieces, layers that evolve with movement. It’s about honouring roots while allowing space for reinvention. Bemberg™ was the perfect medium for that because of the way it adapts, it has a lightness, a movement that mirrors this idea of transition.
Words Hansika Lohani
Date 3.05.2025
