THE 20th Anniversary Collection by Payal Singhal 

September 18, 2019 Dubai, UAE:  Spread over a luxurious 8000 sq ft area, The Rack by Kachins is a popular fashion destination in Dubai to shop for wedding and evening wear. This multi-brand store prides in bringing internationally acclaimed and celebrity favourite designers to the region. This gorgeous villa-boutique showcases some of the most prominent names in the fashion industry in an equally regal and magnificent setting. This month The Rack by Kachins will exclusively showcase PS 20, a vibrant collection by Payal Singhal ie is also an ode to the designer’s 20 years in the industry.  

Since their launch in 1999, Payal Singhal has stood for a contemporary reimagination of Indian bridal and evening wear; revisiting tradition and historical references with a global perspective. This forward-thinking mindset, deeply inspired by art and culture, has been the raison d'être of the brand for two decades now. Their signature spirit celebrates a departure from norms, while merging the nostalgic with the nouveau.

To celebrate 20 years of her eponymous brand, Payal Singhal launches her AW’19 collection, called #PS20. Gypsies and Bohemia serve as the starting point of the collection’s inspiration, though at a macro level, the line serves a statement on the overall DNA of the brand.  

Singhal has worked extensively with georgette and organza to create soft, structured looks while innovating with the silhouettes—think jacket cholis, lehenga salwars, bomber jackets and deconstructed blazers alongside signatures such as drop crotch pants, cropped skirts, saris and co-ord sets. The collection also marks the debut of #PSAccessories with a line of totes, fanny packs, belt bags and wristlets.  

The neutral base of chalky whites and ecru is soaked in a palette of pastels like periwinkle blue and pale rose, and blacks. The bursts of highlighter neons colour the collection with a gypset’s characteristic joie de vivre. A bold use of colours extends to the embroideries too—a mix of thread work, cutwork jaalis, leather embroidery, frayed tassels, appliqué and patchwork to create 3D textures. Complementing the handiwork are the brand’s signature #PSPrints—this season’s key patterns are classic hand painted florals and ikats.

While the inspirations are specific, the collection is deliberately ethnically ambiguous; giving the wearer a blank canvas to add context. Each piece is designed as a separate, to ease its integration into a range of occasions—a black-tie soiree in Jaipur, a beach party in Ibiza, a music festival in Nevada or a destination wedding in Mexico. The mise en scène is merely an excuse, because the defining virtue of the designs is the unique personality of the #PSGirl wearing them.
“I’ve gone back to my real passion of pushing the envelope with freewheeling creations with this line. Since it celebrates 20 years of my brand, I decided to forgo all the formulas and take risks. Design is the hero of the collection.”

Meet the designer and shop her  free spirited, camp-meets-coachella looks at The Rack Kachins on September 20th and 21st from 11 am – 8pm at Al Wasl Dubai.