Shraddha Kapoor, looking radiant in a yellow anarkali with floral motifs of roses created by Padmasitaa, seemed the perfect choice to unveil Padmasitaa, Padmini Kolhapure and Sita Talwalkar’s latest designer label, that has been formed with the motive to keep alive, the artisans and karigars who carry on the legacy of  handcrafted vintage embroidery from the heart of India. Actors Juhi Chawla and Shraddha Kapoor came to cheer Padmini and Sita. The launch took place at the IMC Ladies’ Wing exhibition at NSCI Grounds, Worli and also spotted were Shilpa Shetty, Tanisha Mukherjee, Dilip and Shalini Piramal, Kanika Kapoor among others.

Says Padmini Kolhapure, “Basically, we needed a name that would bring both our names together and when we researched this name Padmasitaa, we realized it had such a powerful connotation. It means Lakshmi with a Lotus. The Lotus is our brand emblem.”

Padmasitaa’s designs are both Indians and Indo-westerns with capes, sarees, tunics, anarkalis, skirts, lehengas, crop tops offering a range for every person. “The embroidery is very unique and we wanted to incorporate it in a varied range,” elaborates Padmini Kolhapure.

It all began when Padmini’s friends from UAE who used to love her taste, prompted her to start a venture.  “My friend Sita Talwalkar is into fitness and has also dabbled in sarees – there is an amazing creative side to her personality. So, we spoke and  things just fell into place. We designed for the UAE market and then, when we weren’t thinking, we got invited for the IMC Ladies’ Wing exhibition. And we just jumped in. Padmasitaa was born.”

What is unique about these garments, is that each handcrafted piece takes painstaking amount of time to create. “The vintage embroidery is very intricate. Not very many artisans can boast of being masters. And there is no quick route to this creation.”

Talk of Padmasitaa, and Padmini’s face lights up. “I am so excited and I am so enjoying it,” says she. “Our range is affordable and elegant, with a piece for every age group and size. Most importantly, each garment keeps an artistic tradition alive. And that is the ultimate high.”

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar