Designer Spotlight: Siddhartha Bansal’s Bohemian Occasionwear

When tying the knot at an idyllic countryside or even at the beach, the bohemian wedding lends a vibe that lets you be free-spirited. Think poetic details, billowing sleeves, and a comfortable, loose silhouette with the most sprightly hues to garner attention. Siddhartha Bansal ticks all the right boxes by crafting ensembles which bring in fluidity with the right hint of movement and drama.

The Delhi-based designer recently opened his flagship store at Dhan Mill, New Delhi, which is nothing short of a candy store. It has colours, eclectic prints and elements of whimsy loved by many. A graduate in Textile Design from NIIFT, Siddhartha’s journey began with the accolade of “Most Innovative Collection” and flourished under the tutelage of industry stalwarts such as Manish Arora Paris, Satya Paul, and Nida Mahmood. His diverse experiences ignited his vision to merge creativity with commerce, paving the way for the launch of his eponymous label in 2015.

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Ahead, in an interview with Manifest, the designer explains how his label should be considered if you love Indian mythological characters, are eco-conscious and equally wild at heart, and more…

In Conversation With Siddhartha Bansal

Manifest: Tell us about your brand. 

Siddhartha Bansal: The label is all about happy clothing for a bohemian soul. The brand offers a huge variety in women’s and men’s clothing, focusing on and representing stories of India, mythological characters, and hues synonymous with India.  Our brand has five major pillars for its design philosophy: Love for India, joy, bohemian, oneness, because I believe we all are one, and lastly, an element of surprise.

M: What sets you apart from other labels present in the wedding space?

SB: Our intricate engineered prints and unique colour combinations are unlike any other in the fashion industry currently. We are conscious of our print placement, which allows us to save a lot of textile waste. Also, we repurpose almost every textile waste in some way or the other. Our embroidery techniques include employing hundreds of beads in different hues per square inch to give the garment an interesting dimension. The other important factor which sets us apart is our pricing. As a designer, I am very price-conscious and wish to give my buyers maximum value at the best possible price.

M: Tell us about your consumer base.

SB: Our consumer community is spread across the borders. Many times, people hesitate to buy from us in the first instance, even after loving so many ensembles. They feel it's a bit too ‘extra’. But once they try and go ahead, they become our permanent clients. Our clothing is there to make an individualistic statement for the beholder. 

M: How do you serve in the wedding space?

SB: I love Indian weddings, they are so lively. Food, dance, music, dressing up, vibe and chit-chatting with your loved ones… I love all of it! As a designer, I take it as my responsibility to dress up my muse for all the fun occasions like haldi, mehandi, sangeet night, carnival night and more.

We add colours and an element of whimsy, such as a kaleidoscope of Indian motifs dancing and celebrating our muse, who is wearing it for her big day. 

P.S.: We have dressed many families from the eldest to the youngest in the family, with the bride and the groom all coordinated in SB signature prints. 

 Manifest Cheat Sheet

M: What type of bride should come to you? 

SB: Anyone who just wants to have fun, we are here to dress you for your big day and create amazing memories. 

M: When should a bride getting married this year come to you? 

SB: We will start taking bridal bookings from August onwards. One can also visit us at our newly opened store in Dhan Mill or DM us on Instagram. 

M: What were some of the major wedding fashion trends that you witnessed this year? 

SB: This year will be all about corsets and pastel colours. 

M: Define a classic Siddhartha Bansal guest for us during the wedding season. 

SB: Fun-loving, cheerful, smart, informative, and someone who appreciates art. 

M: Do you customise designs? If yes, how much time does it take?  

SB: Yes, we do take exclusive custom orders for both the bride and groom and family. However, the timeline completely depends on the scope of work.