Bibhu Mohapatra collaborates with Jyotika Jhalani’s Janavi for New York showcase

Bibhu Mohapatra collaborated with cashmere brand Janavi India for his runway show at New York Fashion Week. The womenswear designer’s latest collection mixed artistic inspirations with classic luxury. 

Bibhu Mohapatra’s Fall 2023 collection was inspired by artist Nancy Cunard and mixed draped pleats with leather and structured tailoring, the designer announced on Facebook on February 15. The collection mixed formal wear with more experimental evening looks and incorporated Ikat with art deco inspirations. Models wore Janavi India shawls designed by Jyotika Jalani, with whom Mohapatra collaborated with for the showcase. 
 
“We came together as our energies were extremely similar,” said Jhalani, Elle India reported. “We never thought of a collection, we never thought of a partnership, we decided that we must do something together. And when Bibhu Mohapatra came to see me last year at the atelier, the magic began there. He loved the energy there, he loved the entire process of Janavi, the process, the people, he loved the way I interacted with my workers. There was music, dance, and magic moments happening at every department and he knew from that moment that there was an attraction within our souls. And I just felt there was a soul connect and it was in that moment he said, “Let’s do fashion week together,” and it happened so easily that we hadn’t even thought about what our collection would be like and how it would merge together and somehow our collection just juxtaposed into his. So it was just a moment of magic.”

The runway was styled by Cat Pope with model casting by Chad Thompson, Mohapatra announced on Facebook. Makeup artist Jenny Smith gave models classically glamorous looks and Diego Miranda for Unite Hair gave models sleek pony tails. The Hinton Group handled production of the show, bags were provided by Zero Waste Daniel, and eyewear was provided by Ic! Berlin. 
 
“This fall 2023 collection includes groups of very focused products in each category, that are intertwined with a very strong, but restrained colour palette, layered with some of the most exquisite textiles, sharp, tailoring and elegant draping,” said Mohapatra about the collection. “The collection reflects the creativity and vulnerability of my muse as an artist with a heart of gold.”