Shweta Bachchan Nanda And Monisha Jaising, A Match Made In Fashion Heaven

Fresh from Lakme Fashion Week's latest edition as the Grand Finale designer, Monisha Jaising has had a busy week but it doesn't end just yet. After teasing us with a one glamorous Instagram picture after the next, today Monisha finally launches her highly awaited collection with Shweta Bachchan Nanda. With the abundance of celebrity fashion collections in the country currently, we're excited to see how this luxury streetwear label stands out. To mark the day and get a glimpse into the makings of MxS, we at Swirlster spoke to Monisha Jaising And Shweta Bachchan Nanda about it.

Shweta Bachchan Nanda with daughter Navya Naveli Nanda in the MxS collection

Swirlster: Monisha, what brought about this collaboration between you and Shweta?

Monisha Jaising: Shweta and I have known each other for years. I've always liked her personal style. She has an insightful eye for fashion. Her style is modern but relaxed too. We have quite similar tastes in fashion, which makes partnering with her fun.

Swirlster: What made Shweta the right person to come together with you on this project?

Monisha Jaising: We love fashion of course and we both pay a lot of attention to detail, which is what you will see in the collection. What I have seen about Shweta is that she is very particular about finish, which actually I am too. We both believe that clothing is not only about being dressed in a particular way from head to toe but, we like to put a collection together that actually is fun for the customer to walk in, mix and match and use their own styling techniques to create a look.

Swirlster: How will you bring your signature blend of glamour to this streetwear line?

Monisha Jaising: I've been doing resort and sportswear collections since 1989. What makes it different is this line will appeal to all age groups from 15 to 55. We have something for everyone which will appeal to most body types. With the introduction of MxS, we are trying to fill in the gap between high street pret and the super luxury brands. This line is different from the pret line under 'Monisha Jaising' as this has both, Shweta's and my personal style which is what makes it really special.

Monisha Jaising and Shweta Bachchan Nanda wear matching tshirts from their line

Swirlster: What elements are prevalent through the collection?

Monisha Jaising: MxS derives its inspiration from street fashion, pop culture, travel and movies. Youth, hip-hop, romance, funk are all elements that feature in our first collection. The brand is an expression of what a woman sees herself as today; where she is not confined by the dictates of work wear or festive wear. At MxS, we have a lot of fun clothing and each piece is special. Sequin rainbow striped track-pants, statement luxe sweatshirts with the word "Airplane Mode" scrawled across the front in embroidery, and a black leather skirt with slogans all over it in graffiti are some of the interesting pieces of the many we have.

Swirlster: If you had to pick your favourite piece, which one would it be?

Monisha Jaising: My favorite is the winged heart dress from the formal section. I love the Africa tunic which makes me want to go on a holiday every time I see it. I also love the player tees; I don't think I'll go out wearing it on the field but definitely for a drink.

Navya Naveli Nanda modelling the MxS collection

Swirlster: Being a first of its kind of collaboration for you, how are you feeling about it?

Shweta Bachchan Nanda: I have always enjoyed fashion, buying and owning clothes. It's only when we did this fun thing for a 50th birthday of a close friend I realised it would be fun to do something like this. I am really glad - it has been such an education working with Monisha Jaising. I don't think I can ever look at clothes the same way, it changed my perception.

Swirlster: Were you always bent towards fashion even at a young age?

Shweta Bachchan Nanda: Fashion has always been something I've enjoyed. Fashion has always been something I've followed, and it wasn't till I had this experience with Monisha that I realised that it's something that I would actually like to actively create. It doesn't necessarily mean that if you can wear clothes well or you have a good eye for clothes that you'll be able to translate it into design and I hope that I have made that leap.

The mother and daughter duo model the line

Swirlster: What is your personal style like?

Shweta Bachchan Nanda: I am more a tracksuit, t-shirt and jeans kind of girl on my day to day basis. So for denims I go to Frame. I love them. T-shirts are always either Gap or James Purse. I don't follow a brand religiously - I see something, I like it, I wear it. It's all about that.

Swirlster: What has been the highlight of working on this project?

Shweta Bachchan Nanda: Working on creating garments and seeing them come to life.