SHWETAMBARI SS26, A Legacy of Love
Love is an enduring legacy like no other. It can be both intimate and monumental, quiet and loud. In a season marked by heritage driven story telling, SHWETAMBARI’s SS26 collection channels a legacy of love and devotion. Drawing on the Taj Mahal’s eternal symbolism of love, the collection captures this delicate duality, leaving behind a lingering sense of care.
Inspired by the Mughal emperor’s love for his wife — that led to the creation of one of the Seven Wonders of the World— the collection unfolds like love letters into “tangible wonders.”
Sculptural folds, hand painted florals, and architectural silhouettes work together with modernized versions of traditional Indian crafts. Gahjra embroidery, once braided into brides and grooms’ hair, is now reimagined, placed on skirts and gowns. Across the garments, handmade blooms mirror the fragility and force that come with placing a heart on display. Quilted textures reveal gulmohar motifs, while seersucker structures meet the liberated ease of macramé, together striking a strong, yet soft balance.
In true connection with eternal devotion, the SHWETAMBARI Spring Summer 2026 collection possesses a “quiet intensity” that bounces from cool, dark tones reminiscent of moonlit shadows, to marble white’s. Fuchsia pops in and out of the collection, echoing its lasting resonance, as timeless as devotion.
The collection truly takes us through a romantic journey. One of the standout pieces is a red strappy tasseled gown crafted with Gahjra embroidery. The head of the model is covered with a quilted tasseled purse that streams seamlessly into the rest of the body. Going in a completely different direction, the collection also offers some softly striped garments with a relaxing drape that exude sunlight and warmth. Some of the darker items in the collection are paired with the ivory tones, creating impactful contrasts.
Every detail in SHWETAMBARI’s SS26 collection deepens the exploration of love and heritage. Colors become metaphors for the stages of love, while textures layered with Indian motifs allude to the resilience of tradition. Though the silhouettes and tones shift, their message remains one: love endures, leaving behind the most timeless legacy of all.
Interview by Sabine Obermoller, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
All Images Courtesy of SHWETAMBARI
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