Frou Frou by Archana Rao

Clothes Line, Autumn Winter 14

Frou Frou which means, the rustling sound, as of fabric, is a fashion house launched by Hyderabad based fashion designer, Archana Rao. Though not a very old label in the play, it has managed to get the maximum attention. Her last collection, titled ‘The Nostalgia Shop’ made her the winner of the third Vogue Fashion Fund and became a successor of designers like Aneeth Arora of Pero and Pankaj & Nidhi.

After showing two collections at Lakme Fashion Week, Archana came to Delhi to show her new Autumn Winter line at Wills India Fashion Week. She took her inspiration from the clothing of an average family. A father’s gingham shirt, a child’s frock and a mother’s handkerchief, all inspired her and she found beauty in the vast horizon of dressing, when all put together. Therefore, Frou Frou’s AW 14 collection was titled ‘Clothes Line’.

“The basic idea is how each family has their own personality and when you notice their everyday laundry you see how the items are so diverse, but synchronised at the same time.” – Archana Rao

Archana kept the beauty of accidental design in her mind and created well planned-out pieces, balancing the light weight solids and the gingham saris with 3D floral embroidered, sleeveless crop tops and the colour blocked jackets with sheer yokes, sheer white shirts with the pearl embroidered dresses, collar details, and metallic belts.