Taika By Poonam Bhagat

Summary

Taika By Poonam Bhagat is a luxury label where natural indigenous fabrics, artisan tradition and sleek, edgy design is the aesthetic that the team uses to handcraft globally relevant womenswear. The Indian fashion designer’s collections are distinctive due to its modern, minimalist and glamorous design tempered with an austere feel.

History

Taika By Poonam Bhagat- founded in January 1991- means ‘magic’ in Finnish and true to its name the label has been casting its spell on loyal clients for almost three decades as they keep coming back for more. The luxury fashion brand’s USP of understated elegance is dramatic without being ostentatious and appeals to a cross section of women who like to let their individuality speak through their choice of apparel and accessories.

Taika is popular for its use of natural eco-friendly fabrics with a strong play of colors and masterful applications of hand embroideries and appliqués to create silhouettes that are edgy, contemporary yet classic and perennial. Inclined to be an artist herself, Indian fashion designer Poonam Bhagat dabbles with paint on canvas and designs ensembles that speak the unique language of art. The collections range from Western prêt to Indian diffusion. In other words – a dress for all reasons!

Taika by Poonam Bhagat

“Natural pure fabrics are mostly used and handloom woven in central and eastern India… We also use a lot of surface textures like pleating, tucking, blanket stitching, dori work etc. We do our own printing as well which is again combined cleverly with minimal or discreet embroideries…” per the FDCI website.

The brand is rooted in sustainability. “We not only need to inculcate mindfulness in our consumers but we, as designers, have to set the trend. Sustainability is the need of the day. Slow fashion as opposed to fast fashion. Make clothes that last longer and aren’t binned from one season to the next. Fast fashion has never been palatable,” Poonam Bhagat tells Explosive Fashion.

“We believe in slow sustainable fashion that takes longer to create, is perennial and classic, ensuring longevity. Upcycle textile fabric that would find its way to the bin, give fabric scraps to NGOs so that they can use it for filling quilts for the underprivileged. Repair, reuse, remake and reinvent every scrap of fabric that is leftover. I’m a great propagator of reversible clothing and the idea of mixing and matching. Use handlooms so we can provide for our weavers…”

The label sells from the finest multi- designer boutiques pan India and has made successful international forays into Milan, Rome, Tokyo, London, New York, Johannesburg and West Palm Beach Florida. “We were privileged to design the costumes for the entire ensemble of the French opera company- Opera Lafayette- for their performance of Lallah Roukh at The Kennedy Centre in Washington DC and the Lincoln Centre New York in January 2013. We have also showcased our collection on top of The Eiffel Tower – a first of its kind besides showing on the ramp in London, Tashkent and Dallas” explains Poonam Bhagat via a note on her official website.

The fashion designer actively participates in India Fashion Weeks and has been on the Board of Governors for two consecutive terms of six years at Fashion Design Council of India: The Apex body of Fashion in the country. Founded on the premise of promoting, nurturing and representing the best of fashion design talent in the country.. its prime objective is to propagate the Business of Fashion.

Vision

Poonam Bhagat envisioned the luxury label retailing edgy contemporary ready- to- wear silhouettes crafted with natural eco-friendly fabrics with a strong play of colors and masterful applications of hand embroideries and appliqués. Her vision for Taika is rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Her focus on handwoven textiles from central and eastern India, coupled with unique surface textures like pleating and embroidery, gives all the collections a distinctive aesthetic that is both contemporary and classic.

Bhagat believes in slow fashion, advocating for pieces that not only stand the test of time but also make a positive impact on the environment. By encouraging the reuse and upcycling of textiles, she fosters a sustainable approach to fashion while promoting social responsibility through initiatives like donating fabric scraps to NGOs.

The brand’s minimalist yet glamorous approach appeals to a global audience, from India’s multi-designer boutiques to international markets in Milan, New York, and Tokyo. By infusing her designs with a sense of art and creativity, Bhagat has built a brand that not only celebrates craftsmanship but also speaks to a modern, eco-conscious sensibility.

Mission Statement

Poonam Bhagat is one of the founding members of the Fashion Design Council of India. Her fashion brand Taika By Poonam Bhagat is committed to creating luxury, contemporary womenswear that combines modern, minimalist designs with eco-friendly, natural fabrics. The brand’s mission is to promote sustainable, slow fashion, encouraging consumers to embrace long-lasting, timeless pieces over fleeting trends. Using handloom fabrics and indigenous textile crafts like hand embroidery and appliqués, Taika’s designs aim to reflect individuality while prioritising sustainability. The brand encourages mindful consumption through upcycling and repurposing leftover fabrics and scraps for social good, supporting NGOs that use them for charitable causes.

Products and Services

Taika By Poonam Bhagat retails the entire gamut of women’s prêt-a porter from western to fusion to Indian silhouettes. The label retails across the country from more than twenty multi- designer boutiques including Kimaya- Samsaara- Aza- Ensemble- Melange- Evoluzione- among others. The western ensembles have also found a market in New York- Florida-West Palm Beach Anthropologie- Singapore- Rome- London and Tokyo.

Awards And Recognition

Delhi-based fashion designer Poonam Bhagat is recognised as one of the founding members of the Fashion Design Council of India. She handcrafts contemporary, edgy womenswear using handloom fabrics and indigenous textile craft like hand embroideries and hand appliqués. Poonam Bhagat is also acclaimed for using surface textures like pleating, tucking, blanket stitching and dori work on modern silhouettes.

References

• Official website Taika by Poonam Bhagat
• Poonam Bhagat Pernia’s Pop-Up
• Facebook profile of Taika by Poonam Bhagat Facebook
• In conversation with Poonam Bhagat Explosive Fashion
• Instagram profile of Taika by Poonam Bhagat Instagram
• LinkedIn profile of Taika by Poonam Bhagat LinkedIn
• Pintrest profile of Taika by Poonam Bhagat Pintrest
• Taika by Poonam Bhagat FDCI
• Poonam Bhagat wants India’s youth to get out of their virtual worlds India Today
• Taika By Poonam Bhagat LBB
• Poonam Bhagat shares a few fashion tips with ‘DNA’ DNA India
• Poonam Bhagat’s new collection for Chennai The Hindu