Chai par Charcha- with Mekhla
Serving Mekhla and Steaming Chai at the same time!
A little desi, a lot of Drama!!
“Who said chai breaks are only for conversations?”
Namaste, story seekers and style lovers! Grab your cup of chai, settle in, because today we’re taking a soulful walk through Vintage in Vogue- a moment that felt exactly like home.
Chai Par Charcha with Mekhla brought a familiar Indian ritual into the world of culture, turning the showcase into a moment of connection and conversation.
With Mekhla in the spotlight, young designer Maria gave Manipur’s handwoven textile tradition a fresh, contemporary expression. Traditionally woven by women of Tangkhul tribe on narrow backstrap or loin looms, Mekhla is known for its bold geometric motifs, stripes, bands and vivid colour combinations. These details carry fascinating stories of the communities, their identities and the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland.
So dear readers, pause, sip your chai, and let our runway do the talking. Scroll on for more.
1. The Corset & the Classic Mekhla
The look pairs a vibrant striped Mekhla with a structured ivory-toned corset featuring delicate embroidery detailing, adding a sharper, more defined silhouette to the traditional drape. The knee-high boots add a bold, youthful edge, while the statement accessories complete the look with a confident finishing touch.
It’s a striking balance of colour, structure and attitude- a Mekhla that doesn’t just carry tradition, but owns the modern.
Muse- Gracia
2. The Asymmetrical Mekhla Art
The look brings together two Mekhla drapes in a beautifully asymmetric composition– one creating the diagonal, shoulder-baring upper silhouette, while the other forms the skirt-like lower drape, gathered into a distinctive bow at the waist. The bold red-and-black palette, woven borders and layered detailing give the ensemble a sculptural quality, making the traditional textile feel playful, confident and fashion-forward.
Muse- Tamanna Paul
3. Black, Bold & Unapologetic Mekhla
The look brings together two Mekhla pieces against a sleek black tube top. The upper piece draped over the shoulders as a statement layer, while the lower Mekhla creates a strong, structured A-line silhouette. The deep black base lets the woven blue, red and green accents stand out, giving the ensemble a striking graphic quality.
The result is bold, confident and unapologetically edgy- a Mekhla look with serious attitude.
Muse- Koshika
4. The Sleek and Sculpted Mekhla
The two-piece Mekhla is styled into a sleek, body-conscious silhouette, with the upper piece shaped into a halter neckline and secured neatly at the neck. The lower piece is transformed into a slim, structured skirt, letting the pink textile and its contrasting woven lines create a striking visual rhythm.
The result is feminine, polished and sculptural- a Mekhla that feels effortlessly modern while staying rooted in its textile identity.
Muse- Simmi Sharma
5. The Mekhla Jacket: Tailored with Roots
The Mekhla takes a sharp turn into menswear with a structured sleeveless jacket, layered over a classic black shirt and trousers. Traditional motifs feature across the jacket, including an eye-catching placement on the back, while Naga-inspired jewellery adds character and completes the look. The result is sleek, confident and rooted, bringing the visual language of Mekhla into a distinctly contemporary menswear silhouette.
Model- Dhruv Jain
6. Ruffle it with Mekhla
The look brings an effortless, feminine energy to the Mekhla, with the gathered drape creating a relaxed yet defined silhouette. The ruffled upper detail adds softness and movement, while the Naga-inspired jewellery gives the ensemble its distinctive character.
It feels easy, playful and beautifully rooted- a look where the textile does the talking without trying too hard.
Muse- Bhoomi Baghla
7. Chai, Culture & Couture- Served Together
The look brings together me, the show director, in a halter neck outfit with a Mekhla draped effortlessly as a dupatta, creating a beautiful meeting of textiles and silhouettes. And, of course, the hand-painted teapot in hand makes this one quite literally Chai Par Charcha- a playful styling moment that brings the theme to life.
The entire group sipped tea together in a beautifully choreographed frames. The shared smiles and a little pause made the runway feel wonderfully human.
Alongside me, young designer Maria gives the Mekhla a fresh, youthful spin, styling it as a structured and stylish A-line skirt on herself paired with an off-shoulder textured top. The bold checks, vibrant colours and woven detailing gave the look an easy contemporary attitude.
In Frame- Mehak Gulati and Ungminao Maria
Two interpretations, one textile- and a little chai bringing them together!
I absolutely loved Maria’s Mekhla collection and the way she brought each look to life. But now I want to know- which one was your favourite? Tell me in the comments.
And now, a little glimpse of the magic. Watch the video below.
That’s all for today dear readers. See you soon with the next. Till then, stay safe, stay fashionable!
The Trendy Team
Curated and Conceptualised by Mehak Gulati
Presented by- Redefining the Roots Welfare Association and Tale of a Trend
Designer – Ungminao Maria
Make up artists (Models)- Garima Jain and Bhoomi Baghla
Hair Artists- Pankaj Baghla and Kashish Baghla
Draping Artists- Trisha Das, Nishtha Sharma and Kashish Rawat
Event Management- Ungminao Maria, Mahima Korde and Jayanti
Cinematic Partners- Nidhaan Productions
Choreography- Mehak Gulati
Video Editing- Dhruv Jain
Music Management-Surya
Venue- Hyatt Centric, Janakpuri, New Delhi
Sincere gratitude to all our prestigious associates !
Show your love by sharing this blog post amongst your nears and dears. Many Thanks to all the readers!!
https://taleofatrend.com/rati/