WIDEN THE LENS

Bazaar India speaks with label QUOD, the new voice that’s capturing the creative fancy of all.

- RADHIKA BHALLA

Sweaters with four sleeves, Benarasi weaves with zari seahorses, and delightful, gender-fluid, non-binary ensembles...these are the recent imaginations of New-York based designer Ikshit Pande, who has caught the attention of independent-minded dressers across the world. For each of India-based label QUOD’s wonderfully-engineered, handwoven and hand-knit separates, paired with gold-plated jewellery, is a statement in itself.

“QUOD is about exploring new things, or doing existing things in a fresh manner. And we take that very seriously,” Ikshit, Founder and Artistic Director of QUOD tells Bazaar India in an exclusive conversation. “Our most important endeavour remains to explore traditional crafts, textile, and dress-making, and contextualise them in a manner that is global, and perhaps, alien to that craft,” he adds.

For the Automne/Hiver ’22 collection, ‘A Poem From Benaras, With Love’, the label has continued its commitment to supporting local artisans and communities, and has developed Victorian-style outfits with traditional techniques—blouses with delicious mutton sleeves, Benarasi brocade ankle-length dresses with floral panels and tulle (or even fine wool suiting), and layered tulle skirts with opaque line drawings.