Herisi by Shivani N
Diploma in Fashion Design
In “Herisi,” fashion designer Shivani N breathes new life into the traditional attire of the Nilgiri’s Baduga people, Tamil Nadu, infusing heritage with contemporary design. The ensemble is a tribute to the timelessness of dress like the “thundu-mundu,” “seelai,” and “pattu,” which were once infused with purpose, utility, and symbolism. But while the traditional clothing disappears into history, Shivani reinterprets them to fit modern times, offering young people (18–24 years) the option to wear tradition in a new, deconstructed form.
Designed with a focus on simplicity and utilitarian beauty, the collection reveres subtle glamour, where rigid panels blend with loose drapes, and crochet textures catch the eye at exact attention to detail. Tone-on-tone sewing and subtle figurative motifs pay tribute to Baduga heritage, while the overall look is elevated by sleek silhouettes appropriate for city and semi-city wearers looking for limited, meaningful fashion.
By preserving the cultural heritage of these age-old clothes, Herisi not only provides fashion above and beyond the clothes, it provides a new identity to this age-old heritage. The collection reminds us that fashion may be a connecting bridge between the past and the future, building a contemporary, wearable narrative that becomes relevant today without losing its heritage.
