News and Collaborations

Inspired by the traditional face covering worn by some women in the Gulf, a Qatar-based fashion designer has launched a new collection that uses natural fabrics to help raise awareness of cancer. Under the slogan "think pink, wear green," the Batoolah Love collection features women's bisht, abayas, tops and dresses made from linen or silk.The initial dozen items were designed by Manjulakshmi Bharathan, who teaches fashion at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQ) and has her own women's clothing label, Gills Manjulakshmi.

It is often simple things with a degree of sentimental value that inspire her to create a design. And such designs tell stories that are printed on fabric.The fabric itself is not just another ordinary piece of textile. It is there for a reason. Manjulakshmi Bharathan mostly works with linen and silk. Linen and silk, she also believes, are clothes with their own medical benefits.

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Manjulakshmi, a native of Thrissur, is delighted to have presented her designs based on love at the prestigious New York Fashion Week.Manjulakshmi's stint with fashion began at a very young age. Thanks to her mother who designed unique patterns for her daughter as a child. Though Manju opted for engineering after Plus II, she later shifted her focus to fashion designing. "It was during that time a fashion institute began in Kozhikode. I joined there and after that went abroad for post graduation," recalls Manju.

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Manjulakshmi Bharathan, designer born and brought up in Qatar, with her label GILLS MANJULAKSHMI established in 2013 was one among the 5 International designers who showcased their collections at the 7th International Fashion show and Wedding Exhibition at Qatar National Convention Center last month. She is a Design Educator at the Community Education Program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

It is often simple things with a degree of sentimental value that inspire her to create a design. And such designs tell stories that are printed on fabric.The fabric itself is not just another ordinary piece of textile. It is there for a reason. Manjulakshmi Bharathan mostly works with linen and silk. Linen and silk, she also believes, are clothes with their own medical benefits.

The collection was themed with a touch of Persian colors and trims evolving into western fashion silhouettes and cuts and giving an evening couture line collection. The collection was made from high-end silks of organza, taffetas, shantung, chiffons, charmeuse, duchesse satins and luxuries of pearls, feathers, metal details of brass and silver and diamantes.