Sangeeta And Arjuun Kilachand Are Making A Strong Case For Surface Embellishments

Some of the best moments in fashion have come from iconic collaborations, be it a muse, a designer, or a mother and son coming together to put their creative minds together. One example of the latter could be seen with the all-new collection by Sangeeta and Arjuun Kilachand.

‘Azura’, the duo’s recently launched collection, merges the mother’s traditional foundation with her son’s modern perspective to create something stylish, modern, yet with a hint of tradition. The brand is known to work with the traditional marodi embroidery. Marodi embroidery emerges from Rajasthan and Gujarat and is known for its intricate handwork using metallic threads in gold or silver to create raised, textured patterns on fabrics.

This time around with Azura, the designers have launched an array of saris, kurtas, belted tunics, pants, and jackets for women, all designed by Sangeeta Kilachand. For men, Arjuun has created a collection of complementary kurtas, bundis and achkans, with both offerings coming together to create a versatile wardrobe. The collection’s main colour palette has shades of sunny yellow, cool blues, radiant reds, and pristine whites...reminiscent of the underwater.

Ahead, we catch up with Sangeeta to understand what her new collection entails, what one must consider for their wedding, and how Azura pays homage to India’s master karigars.

In Conversation With Sangeeta Kilachand

Manifest: What inspired the new collection, and how does it reflect your signature aesthetic?

Sangeeta Kilachand: Azura was inspired by the poetic strength and mystery of the sea—its fluid movement, and ability to reflect both calm and chaos. My signature aesthetic has always centred around intricate Indian craftsmanship. With Azura, I wanted to bring the sensibility of craftsmanship into a more contemporary space. Working with my son Arjuun allowed for this evolution—we’ve married my traditional foundation with his modern perspective to create something timeless yet new.

M: How have you incorporated Marodi embroidery into the pieces this season?
SK: Marodi work has long been at the heart of my design language—it’s regal and intricate. However, in Azura, there is no trace of Marodi work. It is rather a complete departure from what I have been practising for years. In Azura, we’ve paired embroidery with subtle shimmer elements like sequins and pearl accents, which catch light. This season, you’ll see it applied on contemporary silhouettes—on belted tunics, layered jackets, and flowing saris...

M: How does the collection help brides-to-be?

SK: Brides today are navigating a fine balance between heritage and individuality. With Azura, we offer ensembles that honour craft while allowing for personal expression. From pre-wedding celebrations to post-wedding gatherings, every piece is designed to be versatile and wearable.

M: There’s always a deep sense of heritage in your work—how have you balanced that with the needs and tastes of the modern bride in this drop?

SK: Heritage is the foundation—but not the boundary—of my work. With Azura, I stepped into newer territories by playing with structure, layering, and subtle surface play. Collaborating with my son allowed us to create pieces that resonate with today’s aesthetics—cleaner cuts, fluid shapes, and gender-fluid styles—without losing the soul of the craft. It’s my take on the celebration of today.

M: What kind of craftsmanship or technique took centre stage this time?

SK: While Marodi remains a core craft for my heritage clothing, Azura is the embodiment of my foray into couture with sequinned textures, pearl handwork, and delicate thread embroidery—each chosen to evoke elements of the sea. Every motif, every stitch, is a quiet tribute to the artisans whose hands give our vision form. Our aim was to spotlight these crafts not as static relics, but as living, evolving art.

M: What was the starting point for the inspiration for this collection?

SK: It began with a feeling—the fluidity and mystique of the sea. That emotion then took form through textiles, colours, and surface embellishments. The shimmer of sequins mirrored sunlight on waves, and our motifs became metaphors for the sea’s life and rhythm.

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M: Who is the Sangeeta Kilachand bride this season?

SK: She is rooted, yet curious. Elegant, but never static. The Azura bride is someone who appreciates the legacy of Indian craftsmanship but lives in the now. She wants her ensemble to tell a story—not just of where she comes from, but also where she’s headed. She’s confident, fluid, and unafraid to reinterpret tradition on her terms.

M: Lastly, is there one piece in the collection that feels especially personal to you?

SK: There’s a belted tunic sari with a whisper-soft blue base and glimmering, embroidered vines that feels like a true meeting point of my legacy and Arjuun’s innovation. It’s a silhouette I may not have explored on my own—but through his lens, it came alive in a way that still feels deeply me. It’s that piece which perfectly captures the spirit of Azura: timeless, yet forward-looking.