India Inked: On Wearing Homegrown Hues

Fashion speaks the language of colour in all its multiple tones and textures, reflecting the spirit and character of India. Impact your wardrobe with striking home-grown hues…

(Click on any image to read about the colours and see styling notes.)

Rani Pink

Rani Pink - The Indian cousin of the British ‘shocking pink’, the dramatic hue was discovered in Rajasthan during the Mughal era and continues to reign at celebratory moments.

Tasselled fuchsia asymmetric jacket and woven skirt, both by Pankaj and Nidhi, Noida.

Jamun Purple

Jamun Purple - The jamun or Indian blackberry is one of the few indigenous trees in the country. Referred to as ‘the fruit of the gods’, the most commonly found variety is an intense dark purple that borders on black.

Purple sweatshirt, by Jaya Rathore, Kolkata. Lego Double Knuckle Ring, Flora Cube Ring, both from Kassa, Jaipur. Pleated skirt, by Shruti Sancheti, for Pinnacle, Nagpur. Dull gold sterling silver earrings, from Misho, Mumbai.

Jamun Purple

Jamun Purple - The jamun or Indian blackberry is one of the few indigenous trees in the country. Referred to as ‘the fruit of the gods’, the most commonly found variety is an intense dark purple that borders on black.

Purple sweatshirt, by Jaya Rathore, Kolkata. Lego Double Knuckle Ring, Flora Cube Ring, both from Kassa, Jaipur. Pleated skirt, by Shruti Sancheti, for Pinnacle, Nagpur. Dull gold sterling silver earrings, from Misho, Mumbai.

Aasmani Blue

Aasmani Blue - That perfect, cloudless sky at noon at the height of an Indian summer. Like an endless, unblemished mantle that meets the horizon.

Blue dress with white lace detailing, by Dhruv Kapoor, Gurugram. Light blue wool coat, from Dior; sterling silver earrings, from Misho, both in Mumbai.

Raja Blue

Raja Blue - This deep, brooding shade was originally created for Queen Charlotte of England. Blue dyes were extremely scarce and only aristocrats were spotted wearing the colour, bequeathing it with an aura of exclusivity over the years.

Top with flared sleeves and cut-out pants, both by Paras and Shalini, for Geisha Designs, Noida. Aurelian Desire earrings at melorra.com

Haldi Yellow

Haldi Yellow - Warm and soothing, the root of grandmother’s remedies for all maladies, external and internal — changing the look of everything it touches.

Dior Me ring with gold finish, Dior Me ring with palladium finish, both from Dior; sterling silver ear cuff clip, from Misho, both in Mumbai.

Mehndi Green

Mehndi Green - The earthy, muted shade produced by crushing henna leaves into a paste or powder is commonly used all over the country to decorate palms and feet, especially for auspicious occasions.

Woven green and off-white top, by Pallavi Mohan, for Not So Serious, Noida. Wrap-around dress, from Amrich, New Delhi. Flora Hemicycle necklace, from Kassa, Jaipur.

Narangi Orange

Narangi Orange - The colour, named after the bright, citrus fruit, is derived from naranga in Sanskrit. In fashion, it means palettes that pop!

Orange dress with floral applique, by Gauri and Nainika, New Delhi.