Anavila

Anavila Misra produces stunning handwoven sarees from natural cottons that are rooted in tradition, but woven with a modern touch. Anavila’s trademark linen sarees are coveted by India’s most fashionable including Kiran Rao, Kajol, Sonali Bendre, Dia Mirza, and Nandita Das among others.  Shot through all these, and Misra’s saris in general, is her conviction that they are textural experiences to be enjoyed. “I love the raw, the unkempt, the organic, and the grainy texture you can only get from linen.” This love “for playing with textures of nature” is one that she traces back to growing up in Karnal, a small town in UP, with frequent trips to her father’s ancestral village, Hashupur.   Misra is now working on a few ideas for her next collection, which will include garments for the very first time, after years of clamouring from dedicated customers. She’s made two prototypes she’s happy with so far, both silken, seamless linen kurtas with gently moulded silhouettes.