Kaveri Lalchand understands that clothes are meant to assist you, and not trouble you.
In conversation with News18, renowned fashion designer Kaveri Lalchand talks about creating a timeless concept store like Love by Kaveri inspired by Fort Kochi in Kerala.
‘Love Starts With You…’ These magical words greet you as you step into the world of Love By Kaveri. Nestled in the artistic lanes of Fort Kochi, the concept store is the creative vision of renowned fashion designer Kaveri Lalchand.
Known for her handcrafted linen wear, under her brand Kaveri, the designer celebrates her love for Fort Kochi, Kerala through contemporary designs in apparel, jewellery and homeware with Love by Kaveri.
Spread across 800-900 sq ft, Love by Kaveri narrates a beautiful tale of handcrafted craftsmanship weaved together with teamwork and undying love for art.
A pop-up store which was started during the 2018/2019 Kochi-Muziris Biennale became a forever home for Love by Kaveri in 2023. Though they had to shut shop in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was Mr. Josh Paul of Palm Fibre Company who kept the doors open for Kaveri and told her that the space was hers and she could come back whenever she decided to open it again.
Embracing the love Fort Kochi and its people who come to visit from across the globe gave her and her designs, a home away from home. “Love by Kaveri is very connected with Fort Kochi because this is where this baby was born and we decided to open the store here first. Love by Kaveri is for you to love yourself, to love others, to love life, to love colours and fabrics,” expressed Kaveri Lalchand.
There’s a sense of excitement in her voice as she describes the work that’s gone into creating Love by Kaveri. The white walls play the perfect canvas to highlight each garment and homeware strategically placed to catch your attention. Comfort and Positive perfectly summarizes the vibe of Love by Kaveri.
Love may be a four-letter word but it’s an expression that reflects a sea of emotions. And Love by Kaveri is exactly that! When Kaveri began her journey in the world of fashion in 2011, it was never about business. “I started in 2011 for a very personal reason. I realised what I was looking for in terms of clothing for myself, I was unable to find a brand that gave me what I wanted. So, I started making my own clothes. And then I found that I was not alone in it. There were a lot of people who had similar needs. When I started I didn’t have a business plan, I was just making clothes because I wanted it and soon people started asking me. The growth was organic,” adds Kaveri.
Kaveri wants you to feel like you when you try on an outfit from Love by Kaveri. Each handcrafted silhouette is made with love and features her favourite print techniques including shibori, tie-n-dye, and screen to name a few.
Free-flowing, fitted, stylish dresses, kaftans, tops, shrugs, and pants come in comfortable natural fabrics such as cotton and cotton-linen blends. Kaveri is all for interactive clothing and quickly shows us how one can style a versatile shrug/jacket in many different ways. Every piece in the store can be mixed and matched and that’s the beauty of being a designer who understands that clothes are meant to assist you, and not trouble you. “The clothes that you wear should give you confidence, not make you unsure. Clothes should protect you, not make you nervous. I believe that the clothes that you wear must allow you to walk boldly. I don’t want to wear an outfit that is going to restrict the way I walk or sit. Clothes that restrict, restrict you,” shares Kaveri.
Love By Kaveri also stores an array of upcycled jewellery pieces that will go well with the silhouettes. Also, don’t forget to browse through the handcrafted homeware including table mats, pouches, crockery, diaries and footwear designed to add that extra love to your abode.
Kick-starting 2024 on a stylish note, Love by Kaveri will also be part of the trunk show pop-up hosted at The Croft in Kochi on February 3, 2024, between 11 am and 7 pm.
