Mynaah By Reynu Taandon Wants Brides To Think Beyond Trends

For Reynu Taandon, who established her label Mynaah by Reynu Taandon in 1999, sustainability is not just a buzzword. Ever since the inception of the brand, the designer has been championing a mindful approach to fashion, through both creation and consumption and providing a platform for Indian craft clusters to thrive.

The label is known for its profuse use of colours and embellishments that celebrate femininity and sensuality in its purest form. With a special focus on draping, construction and finish, Mynaah by Reynu Taandon’s designs stand out because of their timelessness.

The designer’s trend-agnostic approach to fashion has found fans in celebrities like Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Kiara Advani, who have worn her designs in the past.

In an interview with Manifest, the designer talks about sustainability, her trend-agnostic approach to fashion and more...

In conversation with Reynu Taandon

Manifest India: Your designs celebrate sensuality and femininity which include ornate thread embroidery and extravagant textures cut in pleats, kalis and cocoons. Who is the muse for creating such beautiful pieces?

Reynu Taandon:  The brand is actually made up of two people, one who works in creativity starting from thread and the second one with the colour scheme. Since I began in the year 1999, the only thing from day, from 1999, my focus has always been on threadwork. Yes, the way of presenting it may vary, sometimes the motifs change, and the threadwork gets personified with beads, mirror work local embroidery or even Swarovski crystals but the threadwork is something that has remained constant through the years. My inspiration basically comes from my travels, when I was in Benaras I saw this beautiful statue of Radha Krishna and decided to incorporate it into my works, even in the designs I sought inspiration from ancient architectural domes, I have even made entire collection seeking inspiration from a certain kind of safety pin used in a particular region. Although travels serve as a primary source of inspiration, I constantly keep my eyes open because sometimes inspiration can come from anywhere.

M: How has fashion, particularly bridal wear evolved over the years in your opinion? What do brides look for today while opting out for their wedding trousseau?

RT: The modern-day bride is free to experiment. While most brides may prioritise lightweight outfits, I have received requests where brides are happy to wear the heavily worked lehenga. They are ready to accept themselves the way they are. When I started back in 1999, I used a lot of Gotta work in my designs and the blouse had a lot of Zardozi work which became a trend for many years to come. Previously, I thought people would use shades of emerald only for cocktails and pink, peach, coral and lilac for their wedding day. But I was surprised when one of my brides wore emerald green on the day of the wedding.

M: Tell us more about your Label Mynaah and what it has in store for brides to be.

RT: Mynaah is the name of a bird and I chose the name because I wanted to keep the label name soaring high. So when Brides walk into a Renu Tandon store, they can expect the most elegant, flawless, and also ageless designs. So, if you want something that you can wear today and 20 years later and remain a forever classic, then brides should definitely visit a Mynaah store near them.

M: Your designs have always been sustainable, much before it became trendy. What are your thoughts on that?

RT: Sustainability as a concept came very naturally to me. It was not a trend that I followed or a concept I discovered. While I was working on chanderi, I started reusing the older patterns and designs of embroidery in newer innovative ways. I  always encourage handlooms, because they are the actual art and craft of the soil. These are the actual art and craft people. Because I believe that handlooms need to be encouraged and our artisans need to have a voice.

M: What message would you want to give brides who are shopping for their wedding outfits?

RT: Whenever I meet a bride I tell them trends are important, but it is important to understand its making. But first, follow your body. First, follow your complexion. Understand your body, and its dimensions and choose something that aligns with your personality. Understand the cuts and construction of your body, and don't worry about trends, we are here to make them for you. Follow the cuts of your body. We are here to give you trends. We can alter the silhouettes and the cuts but please understand what suits you best. The best part about the trends is that they can be very clearly altered as per the personality and the character of an individual. But first, you need to understand your body. Understand what your designer has to offer and then decide on how the trend can be embraced as per your physical dimensions.