Kitschy Couture
ABOUT THE LABEL
Kitschy Couture is a celebration of diasporic identity! The designer and founder of the label Abarna Kugathasan explores the intimate tale of her transcultural self. Merging Sri Lankan roots, Tamil ancestry and a Western upbringing. She grew up watching her mother, who is a trained tailor for traditional Tamil womenswear garments, bring a piece of her Sri Lankan homeland to Germany through nothing but a simple household sewing machine. As a child of Tamil immigrants she is expressing her own identity and honouring cultural duality. The sugary landscape of Kitschy Couture uncovers the diasporic sense of longing and the meaning of homesickness. The lingerie inspired ruffly creations represent the trademark style of the German based label. Fusing traditional and contemporary influences the Tamil designer is crafting a dreamy fairytale through sculptural silhouettes. The alluring world of Kitschy Couture was featured in Vogue India spotlighting South Asian creativity and individuality. Followed by publications through i-D Magazine in France and Britain. From London, Chennai, Jamaica, Indore and back to Berlin, the label is travelling on a global editorial route, celebrating the kitschy fantasy on an international scale.
How does your cultural background or heritage play a role in your designs?
"I was raised in Germany but my parents are from Sri Lanka. My Tamil heritage and being raised through two contrary cultures shapes my identity and is the essence of Kitschy Couture. My mother and the traditional craftsmanship of saree draping served as my initial gateway to fashion and expressing my cultural identity through design. Kitschy Couture is not only celebrating diasporic identity but also narrating our stories and therefore allowing a deeper understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity. We're shedding light on the richness and complexity of the diasporic experience by sharing our intimate stories and emotions. The label is serving as a platform for dialogue and representation within the fashion industry and empowering individuals to embrace their cultural heritage with pride!"
All images, brand descriptions and further information are available at the official Berlin Fashion Week
