2 weeks Ago By Manglien Gangte
Anamika Khanna's love for jewellery has found a new home in her debut bag collection. Forged in brass, finished in 24k gold, and adorned with semi-precious stones like mother of pearl and emerald, these aren't your typical trend pieces. "Future heirlooms meant to last", as she puts it herself.
In a conversation filled with reflection, craft, and a few candid nerves, the designer sits down with Vogue India to talk about why this collection is deeply personal and meaningful. Vogue India: You've long had a distinct point of view when it comes to design. Why did now feel like the right moment to explore bags? Anamika Khanna: Bags have been a part of my thought process for a long time.
I wanted to step into a space that felt fresh for me, but also where I had something original to say. The world is saturated with bags, and I didn't want to add noise unless it was something meaningful. Also, it felt like a natural extension of what we already do.
So many of our clients ask how to finish a look, especially with couture, and what to carry with it. That's where the idea began to grow. VI: Was there a moment when you knew you had to make this collection? AK: I remember feeling frustrated that I couldn't find a single statement piece that felt both timeless and versatile.
Especially while travelling, you don't want to pack three or four options. You want one thing that works across looks. That moment cemented it for me.
I wanted to design something special that could work for brides or anyone dressing up for an occasion abroad. VI: There's a sculptural charm to the pieces, and your love for jewellery is also evident. What was the vision that guided the design process? AK: I knew I wanted to create future heirlooms.
Not bags, you buy one season and forget the next. I imagined each one wrapped in muslin, something to hold on to over time. That led us to metalwork and textures, surfaces that feel aged, imperfect, lived-in.
One of the first inspirations was a bag my mother gave me. It's still wrapped in muslin. That small act of care, that memory, became the starting point.
Many of the details come from nature and from quiet moments under a particular tree that's been very symbolic for me. VI: The heirloom quality comes through in the designs. How did you balance that kind of poetry with practicality? AK: There's one piece I love, a phone case that stretches to fit any size phone.
I've reached a point where I don't even carry an entire bag. I just want to carry my phone. The idea is that you can still make a statement without carrying much.
We also have more traditional silhouettes, lined in satin, embroidered, and printed on the inside. Some are highly functional, others are almost like jewellery. VI: How does this collection reflect your ongoing dialogue with craft? AK: The essence is unmistakably Indian.
It's rooted in craft, in memory, in culture. But I also wanted these pieces to blur lines. I'd just as happily wear one of them with denim as I would with a sari.
VI: Were there specific techniques or craftspeople you collaborated with? AK: All the metalwork was done in Bengal, by artisans who traditionally make fine jewellery. But I didn't limit the work to one region or craft. It was more about creating a shared language, borrowing techniques where they served the idea best.
VI: Do you see this as a one-time project or will there be more accessories in the future? AK: This is just the beginning. You'll be seeing more bags and accessories from us. VI: What's one piece from this collection that's especially close to your heart? AK: The heart-shaped bags.
I'm obsessed with them. It reflects love, connection, and unspoken emotion. When I was sketching, I drew a heart, and it all grew from there.
VI: Would it be fair to say that this is your heart (and soul) cast in brass? AK: Yes. Wrapped in chains but not chained. There's freedom in the untangling.
Also read: This bride wore six bespoke Anamika Khanna looks for her wedding Exclusive: Introducing H&M X Anamika Khanna, through the designer’s lens Exclusive: Anamika Khanna on creating a milestone collection of denim totes with Starbucks.
