Gauri And Nainika

Summary

Celebrated for evening gowns and cocktail dresses steeped in fairytale romance and vintage glamour, Gauri and Nainika’s feminine approach to fabric construction result in soft silhouettes, which are striking in its simplicity. Inspired by European fashion history, art, music, books, theatre, old Hollywood, red carpet glamour and photographs of their mother from the Seventies, the luxury fashion brand creates womenswear with a feminine, romantic design philosophy.

History

Gauri and Nainika Karan launched their label Gauri and Nainika in January 2002 in New Delhi. An occasion-wear luxury fashion brand with styles ranging from cocktail dresses to elaborate bespoke gowns, the duo offer glamorous, elegant womenswear for the modern fashion-conscious woman. With a design philosophy that is distinctly feminine and European.. their collections are being retailed at exclusive boutiques in India and the Middle East.

The luxury label caters to those who like to dress with a sense of occasion. Sisters Gauri and Nainika Karan grew up in New Delhi. Though originally students of economics they were always inclined towards fashion and the creative arts. After graduating from The National Institute of Fashion Technology New Delhi they launched their ready-to-wear label Gauri and Nainika. Since they grew up inspired by the classics and the romantic look of old Hollywood heroines such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, that timeless elegance has been incorporated in their designs.

Inspired by European fashion history, art, music, books, personalities, theatre, old Hollywood, red carpet glamour, and pictures of their mother from the 70s, the brand has always had extremely feminine and romantic design philosophy with styles that are luxurious yet understated. With a strong emphasis on fabric, cut and colour, the designs focus on shape and flattering silhouettes.

By combining tailoring with drapery, the garments are meticulously crafted and have a timeless appeal where old world charm, fantasy, and elegance are brought bang up to date. Femininity forms the essence of the label where the paradoxical combination of drama and subtlety can be seen in the event’s simplest styles. The styles are for a self-determining woman who is sophisticated, elegant, and embraces femininity in fashion.

The duo have recently diversified into home interiors and furniture with the launch of Gauri and Nainika Home. Per Elle: “They took on a curator’s role: they roped in Tarun Vadehra for furniture pieces, tied up with Tasveer and Vadehra Art Gallery for art photographs, Klove for light design… Safe to expect classic styles like chesterfield sofas and porter chairs. Their affinity for monochrome is visible in the black and white loveseats and an all-white four-poster bed. Some industrial pieces – like maritime pendant lights and tripods – find their way in too.”

Vision

Inspired by European fashion history, art, music, books, theatre, Hollywood, red carpet glamour and photographs of their mother from the Seventies, the luxury fashion brand envisions creating womenswear with an extremely feminine and romantic design philosophy. The styles are opulent albeit understated and elegant. Fashion designers Gauri and Nainika aim to create womenswear that is inherently feminine and romantic, combining opulence with understated elegance. Their collections, inspired by the timeless charm of figures like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, feature soft, flattering silhouettes with meticulous attention to fabric, cut, and color.

With an emphasis on old-world craftsmanship, their designs blend sharp tailoring with fluid drapery, resulting in timeless pieces that balance drama and subtlety for the modern woman who enjoys dressing with a sense of occasion. Their vision is not just about fashion but an overarching lifestyle that celebrates femininity and elegance in every detail. This extends to their foray into home interiors, where they bring the same sensibilities to furniture and decor. Be it couture or home collections, Gauri and Nainika’s creations mine fantasy and modern design, appealing to those who appreciate luxury that feels both timeless and current. Their brand continues to uphold a mission of delivering glamour, sophistication, and a tribute to the elegance of the past.

Mission Statement

By combining sharp tailoring with drapery, the collections by Gauri and Nainika are meticulously handcrafted and have a timeless appeal where old world charm, fantasy and elegance are brought bang up to date to make the looks relevant today. Femininity forms the essence of the luxury label though the paradoxical combination of drama and subtlety is seen in the simplest styles.

Awards And Recognition

Gauri and Nainika are recognised for their glamorous, feminine, and romantic evening and western wear, heavily inspired by old Hollywood and vintage European aesthetics. The duo has achieved significant recognition for their elegant gowns, cocktail dresses, and sophisticated silhouettes, which have been worn by both Indian and international celebrities and are stocked in exclusive boutiques. Having stayed true to their vision of elegance and feminity, the label retails collections that herald a return to romance and old world glamour with fluid evening gowns and cocktail dresses. There’s a sense of freedom and modernity in their design vocabulary and their design philosophy emphasizes femininity, focusing on luxurious fabrics, intricate cuts, and flattering silhouettes that combine romance with modern drama.

Products And Services

Celebrated for evening gowns and cocktail dresses with fairytale romance—with fresh inspiration each season—Gauri and Nainika design cocktail dresses and bespoke evening gowns inspired by old Hollywood for their clientele. Their feminine approach to fabric construction results in soft silhouettes, striking in its simplicity. For Spring Summer 2021, the duo showed wartime- inspired pencil dresses, wrap dresses and shirt dresses. Some of the dresses featured hand painted polka dots or printed stripes. From Victorian- inspired florals to velvet roses, romance was in the air. Ruffles and soft sculpted flowers, a favourite with the design duo, were dominant throughout the collection.

References

• Official website Gauri and Nainika
• Gauri and Nainika Vogue
• Facebook profile of Gauri and Nainika Facebook
• Gauri and Nainika x KOOVS Elle
• First look: Gauri and Nainika Karan Home Elle
• Instagram profile of Gauri and Nainika Instagram
• Twitter profile of Gauri and Nainika Twitter
• Pintrest profile of Gauri and Nainika Pintrest
• An exclusive look inside Gauri and Nainika’s New Delhi farmhouse Architectural Digest
• Gauri and Nainika: Homes with a sense of fashion Business Standard
• Designer duo Gauri, Nainika to collaborate with Koovs.com for shoe collection Fashion Network
• Gauri and Nainika’s uber-feminine European designs Indian Express
• 15 Gauri and Nainika gowns celebrities love Vogue
• Celebrity-inspired maternity styles you need in your closet Harpers Bazaar