MANOEUVRE – CURATOR – JDADA2019

Manoeuvre “Good design is a matter of discipline. It starts by looking at the problem and collecting all the available information about it. If you understand the problem, you have the solution. It’s really more about logic than imagination.”

Massimo Vignelli

Designers Karthik R and Pavan Kumar P’s collection “Manoeuvre” has been inspired by the Kandyan dance form, native to the central hill region of Kandy in Sri Lanka. The dance form is known to be a method of healing and has powerful foot skills, leaps and spins. The designers have created a line that combines power dressing with athleisure wear. This enables the wearer to travel for work and play without carrying additional work out wear.

The Kandyan dance is a ritual performance which tells the story of the King of Kandy who was cured from a mysterious illness after he performed the Kandyan dance. The dance also includes recitation and music through instruments. To master the technique, serious students must learn 18 vannams, or basic dances. Vannamas is one of the main aspects of the dance which depicts the behaviour and movement of animals. The costumes of the dancers have a special value and these have to be earned by learning the complete technique of the dance.

The power dressing element of the collection has been drawn from the Vannamas which depicts the strength and boldness of the animals. Whereas the athleisure aspect, has been influenced by the postures and movements of the dancers. The look and silhouette of the garments are formal as they would be worn to work. The range is meant for customers who are sports and travel enthusiasts. The fabrics used for the garments are knitted fabric, dry fit fabric, recycled fleece and recycled polycotton. The colours of the garments are black and white, blue, red and yellow.