Designer Kresha Bajaj On Fashion Being A Blend Of The Past and Present | Grazia India

Fashion’s romance with the past and present isn’t just an abstract idea – it’s something I’ve lived and breathed through specific pieces, memories, and even the stories I choose to tell through my collections. Many of my designs have roots in inherited pieces, vintage discoveries or cinematic moments that sparked my imagination. For instance, my Lovestory lehenga called ‘Secret Garden’ was inspired by a delicate filigree necklace that I inherited from my aunt. Its intricate design reminded me of a secret garden – hidden, mysterious, and enchanting.

That single piece of jewellery inspired an entire concept centred around themes of intimacy and the untold beauty that lies just beneath the surface. The outfit echoed the intricacy of that necklace, incorporating subtle floral embroidery, vine-like embellishments, and layered textures waiting to be uncovered. That thread of the unseen and unknown continues into Aurelia, my latest collection. At its heart is Charles Dickens’ Miss Havisham – a character who, to me, embodies the haunting beauty of a world frozen in time. In her, I see a woman surrounded by remnants of her past, wrapped in aging but achingly beautiful lace and silks. The collection reflects this concept of beauty trapped in stasis, with flowing fabrics that feel ethereal yet worn, and details such as frayed edges and antique-inspired embellishments tell a hundred stories.

Designing Aurelia felt like creating a wardrobe for someone who exists between the past and present, fiercely guarding her narrative while embracing the romance of imperfection. Every piece, every collection finds a way back to my personal love for vintage fashion. The details of vintage pieces captivate me the most. A perfectly sewn hemline, intricate embroidery, or the weight of a fabric that feels so different from today’s fast fashion – it all speaks to the craftsmanship of the past. I’m often overwhelmed by a bittersweet sense of longing, as if I’m reaching for something fleeting but enduring at the same time. These pieces remind me that fashion was once slower, more deliberate, and infused with soul.

I plan my travels around visits to vintage stores. Visiting them feels like slowing time down. I find myself drawn to racks of clothes and shelves of trinkets, each piece whispering its own story. It’s not just shopping; it feels like treasure hunting, sifting through forgotten moments and histories, waiting for something to call out to me. I collect vintage Mugler jackets – those structured, architectural masterpieces that feel like wearable works of art. Their precise tailoring and bold silhouettes have influenced my approach to designing jackets. There’s something about the way Mugler pieces command attention while celebrating the female form that continues to inspire my work, reminding me that construction can be as much an emotional statement as an aesthetic one.

When I see an old piece – a delicately beaded dress, a weathered leather bag, or a pair of hand-stitched gloves – it’s as though I’ve stumbled upon a secret. I find myself imagining the life it once had. Who wore this dress? Was it for a grand soirée, a first date, or a stolen moment of joy? There’s something deeply poetic about knowing that an item was loved and lived in before it found its way to me. Holding it in my hands, I feel a connection not just to its previous owner but to the era it came from – a world I didn’t live in but can still somehow experience through this tangible relic. For me, visiting a vintage store is also a deeply personal journey. It’s not just about finding something beautiful; it’s about finding pieces that resonate with me and my own narrative. Sometimes it’s a brocade jacket that feels regal and dramatic, other times it’s a delicate lace scarf that reminds me of my grandmother. Each piece I bring home becomes a part of my story, a thread in the tapestry of who I am. Fashion, to me, is a romance between the old and the new. It’s not just about clothing; it’s about carrying history forward, one piece at a time.