Bird of Passage: A Movement in Fashion

Abhisaar Saxena's Award-Winning Womenswear Collection

Abhisaar Saxena's inspiration for the Bird of Passage collection comes from the transient nature of life. The designer sees movement in everything, even in the seemingly still. This philosophy is reflected in the collection, which celebrates the various phases and depths of life's journey. The collection is designed for women who are bold and self-assured, offering them a complete, versatile wardrobe suitable for any occasion, from charity galas to casual lunches.

The unique properties of the Bird of Passage collection lie in its versatility and the use of innovative fabrics like double-knit scuba and moss crepe. These materials make the collection wrinkle-resistant, adding to its practicality. The collection also features a range of silhouettes that are empowering, bold, and hassle-free. The detailed application of sheer play and fabric manipulation maintains a minimalist yet striking aesthetic.

The collection was realized through a meticulous process of hand basting, machine stitching, and hand finishing. The placement of sheer and cut-out panels was made with a complete understanding of the human form, to achieve the desired look. The traditional collar and lapel were modified to create an in-set collar-lapel look. Under-layered paneling was used to create the effect of sheer play.

The Bird of Passage collection was developed in-house at Abhisaar Saxena's manufacturing facility in Thane, India, between July and September 2016. The design process was informed by a study of power silhouettes used throughout the ages. This research gave the collection its foundation of elegance, functionality, and sophistication, representing the power silhouettes of today that can be sported at various instances in a woman's life.

Despite the challenges faced in bringing together a variety of fabrics with unmatched nature for construction, the Bird of Passage collection was realized through intensive and skillful techniques. Fabric manipulations and handcrafted detailing such as cording, braiding, and permanent pleating have been applied throughout the collection. The depth of colors in pure silk fabrics was obtained by the process of silk-dyeing.

The Bird of Passage collection was awarded the Golden A' Design Award in 2018, a testament to its outstanding design and trendsetting creations. This award is granted to designs that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, advance art, science, design, and technology, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.