Redefining Indian

Ruchika Sachdeva’s award-winning label Bodice heralds a fresh perspective on India Modern: an articulate, intelligent voice of fashion that embraces traditions and cutting-edge technology in equal measures

- Neeti Mehra

A man wearing gumboots stands still in a field of grass. A clothesline stretches over a vast meadow with black, freshly dyed fabric drying in the wind. A workman, his arms up to his elbows in a bucket of water, appears to be rinsing some fabric. Scroll through Bodice’s minimalist Instagram feed (@bodicebodice—a label so nice that they named it twice) and you feel like you’re almost intruding into a private visual wonderland. This pertinent introduction to the brand, founded by Ruchika Sachdeva, also its creative director, forms part of a series of images documenting her journey to victory in the women swear section of the International Wool mark Prize 2018.

With this win, doors have opened to the global market for the Delhi-based label. Bodice will receive AU $200,000 to support business development, along with ongoing industry mentor support and access to prestigious stockists such as Boutique 1, Harvey Nichols and Hudson’s Bay. “It was quite surreal at first. I feel incredibly humbled to have won,” says the young designer.

A series of serendipitous events led to Bodice’s beginnings, but since then, Sachdeva’s pointed focus on details and her strong visual language have built a niche-but-loyal legion of fans. She had sent her graduation collection of the London College of Fashion to Lakmé Fashion Week, and the post show accolades translated into substantial orders. Sachdeva chose Delhi’s boho-chic Hauz Khas Village, its labyrinthine lanes home to many young labels, to open the brand’s flagship boutique in 2011.