Ranna's recipe: Style with soul

Rachel Vaas sports a Ranna Gill kaftan top inspired by Moroccan art. The top, with a mix & match print, is teamed with a mini skirt with brocade patchwork. 
 
She got tired of last year's ghetto, punk, army and camouflage looks. So, for Lakme India Fashion Week, designer Ranna Gill let her love for exploring cultures be the dominating theme of her latest collection.

A trip to Turkey, Morocco and Egypt made her realise how similar cultures can be. "The kaftan is similar to our kurta, only it's a bit longer and has an interesting neckline. Also, Morocco's Rabat embroidery is very similar to Punjab's Phulkari," says Gill, a graduate in fashion design from FIT (New York).

She believes in making clothes she'd like to wear: "I'm trying to dress the modern woman who's intelligent and sexy. Unlike last year it's not about the '80s rock star look that took away the femininity factor." Soulful clothing is her motto this year. An avid museum visitor, Gill says Marrakech's souks and flea markets are somewhat like Chandni Chowk. "My collection has a rustic tribal feel but is contemporised to suit the needs of the new-age woman. My bandage blouse inspired by Egyptian mummies, for instance – it can be worn with a pair of jeans," she says.

Gill stayed away from fruity hues and chose darker shades like aubergine, chocolates and greens. "I wanted my clothes to reflect the old Moroccan faded homes and forts, so we have sandblasted all our prints. In a way the effort is to create a classic look that has oomph but no fluff. That's why I have called it soulful clothing," concludes Gill.

Designer Inspirations
The gold souks of Marrakech
Nefertiti's costume
Egyptian face and body art
Hues of Moroccan homes and forts
Egyptian gold-wedged tie-up sandals