HANDMADE WITH LOVE

On a visit to péro atelier, we take a closer look at designer Aneeth Arora's methodical madness and craft-centric ethos as the brand turns 15.

- SHIVPRIYA BAJPAI

In the middle of June, on a sweltering afternoon, I made my way to the péro atelier in Patparganj, Delhi. A bright red letterbox next to the entrance felt like a portal of sorts, and before I could comprehend anything, I was transported to a wonderland—or should I say ‘péroland’ where I cribbed less about the Delhi heat for the next few hours. Quirky clay figures lined the window, a wall with heart-shaped souvenirs (gifted by clients all over the world), a stack of catalogues of old and new collections in one corner, the signature péro dolls, an expansive library packed with books of varied interests—this is where all the magic unfolds, I was convinced.

Aneeth Arora, the founder of péro, is one of the best storytellers of the Indian fashion industry. From the clothes she makes to the shows and campaigns she conceives, trust her to blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Arora’s design vocabulary and visual presentations are synonymous with vintage, quirk, and nostalgia. It’s no less of a mystery how she blends effortless elegance with exaggerated prints, patterns, proportions, and intricate surface ornamentations—often breaking gendered boundaries of dressing. “I have never called myself a fashion designer, and till date we stay true to the fact that we design textiles, and then make clothes for people at péro. We have always made clothes that are comfortable, not necessarily tailored for an occasion but made to feel special throughout the day. In fact, I was also labelled the culprit for introducing anti-fit into fashion because my clothes were neither body hugging silhouettes nor had embellishments on them. The first line that we ever did was naturally dyed, hand-woven textiles from India. The only embellishment was a handmade button which had ‘péro’ embossed on it,” recalls Arora.