Then, two years ago, came Viya, his lifestyle brand. “The aim was to make design more accessible, more democratic, and also expand my material library from metal onto other artisanal mediums in India,” Goyal explains. After developing prints and textiles for Viya’s soft furnishings, fashion felt like a natural next step. But Goyal’s work has largely lived in homes, across walls, furniture, lighting and sculptures designed to, well, be static. Clothing, on the other hand, moves. It wrinkles and creases, travelling through everyday life in a way furniture never has to. It’s interesting to see how Goyal’s distinct design language translates into something fluid.
The new womenswear collection is all about easy living. We’re talking kimono tops, overlap shirts, kaftans, robes, tunics, culottes, pyjama-style trousers, and the list goes on. They’re loose, relaxed silhouettes with colourful, summery prints in lightweight fabrics. These are pieces for the kind of woman who wants to look elegant while hosting friends at home, slipping away for a long lunch, or even heading on holiday, without compromising on comfort. The cherry on top? “Everything is crafted in natural fabrics,” says Goyal. Chanderi brings that airy sheen that Indian textiles do so well, organza adds lightness, ramie gives structure and silk softens everything. The brass that once appeared on cabinets and consoles is subtly woven in, too, showing up as buttons and detailing on trims.
