Shriya dazzles ramp in handwoven Narayanpet saree

The Hans India fashion columnist, Deepika Sarode recently showcased her collection ‘Leading Lines’ with showstopper actress Shriya Saran at the second edition of AP Craft Mela in Tirupati. The theme, Leading Lines was inspired by the way lines communicate, suggesting a variety of emotions - calm, quiet, relaxed, a variety of power, strength, rigidity, height, stability.

The minimal western and fusion designs have been woven from organic cotton and linen and dyed using natural dyes and colours. The showstopper for PikaLove Shriya Sharan looked radiant as she walked in a beautifully crafted Narayanpet Saree. Deepika’s label PikaLove is born out of the passion and emotion to make beautiful handcrafted clothing with social responsibility.

All the designs in her collection are minimal yet made unique with clever cuts and elements that add a touch of style with the aim to make handloom mainstream. All of her garments have been handwoven using organic cotton which has been dyed using dyes obtained from natural sources. A variety of combination weaves have been implemented to give the fabric a unique look, texture and feel.

Deepika Sarode studied Fashion at NIFT, Hyderabad. Post graduating in 2013, she worked with SlowColor, a USA based luxury sustainable Brand in Colorado. While at SlowColor she handled multiple roles from textile designer to a content writer. In 2014 she joined 6Degree, one of India’s premier Fashion Consulting company as a Product Manager and went on to head the marketing and PR team.

Whilst at 6Degree, Deepika orchestrated multiple designers to showcase their collections successfully at Lakme Fashion Weeks, India Beach Fashion Week, Fuji Fashion Week and Mysore Fashion week to name a few. In 2016, Deepika moved on from her role at 6Degree to focus on her roots and her love for handloom and organic fabrics and ventured into her own eponymous label PikaLove.

Her work is highly detailed and focuses only on organic cotton and linen, naturally dyed with herbal based or low impact dyes, handcrafted on looms in her hometown Narayanpet. She also worked as a fashion stylist and celebrity co-ordinator and has worked with Soha Ali Khan, Vidyut Jamwal, Amala Paul, Pooja Hegde, Pooja Gor.

Most recently she styled was part of the Telugu film ‘Rangasthalam’ styling team for the last shoot schedules and Bigg Boss contestant Kireeti for the Bigg Boss Telugu finale. She is currently planning to launch a flagship experience centre and store in Hyderabad. Her collections are not about trying too hard. Her designs capture the season's trends with pieces that are easy to wear crafted for the modern woman who loves comfort.