Shivan & Narresh’s Springlie collection draws from Hilma af Klint’s abstract art

For designers Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja of Shivan & Narresh, resortwear has long been positioned as more than holiday dressing. Since launching their label in 2010, the duo has framed the category as clothing shaped by travel, leisure and celebration — garments designed to move easily between settings.

Apparel from the Springlie collection
| Photo Credit:
Babari Sat

Their latest collection, Springlie, continues that exploration while drawing from the abstract visual language of Swedish painter Hilma af Klint, whose work is recognised for symbolic motifs, fluid geometry and bold colour compositions.

In translating these ideas into fashion, the designers were less interested in direct visual references than in the philosophical undercurrents of the artist’s work. “The visions of Hilma af Klint feel remarkably contemporary despite being created over a century ago,” says Shivan. “What drew us most was her ability to merge spirituality with abstraction, creating a visual language that explores energy and balance.”

Apparel from the Springlie collection
| Photo Credit:
Babari Sat

Reinterpreting spring

Across the collection, spiralling forms, graphic lines and layered colour blocks create a sense of movement.

The womenswear line includes swimsuits and ready-to-wear pieces — in lightweight fabrics like silk and organza — such as rompers, jumpsuits, palazzos, dresses, kaftans and tops, alongside occasion wear like tiered skirts, embellished lehengas and draped gowns. Menswear ranges from polos and shirts to printed denim trousers and kurta sets.

Apparel from the Springlie collection
| Photo Credit:
Babari Sat

For Narresh, the starting point was not simply the visual vocabulary of the paintings but the ideas behind them. “We begin by studying the philosophy and emotional energy within her work rather than simply adapting the imagery,” he explains. “From there, those ideas evolve into prints, colour palettes and silhouettes that echo her sense of movement.”

The collection also moves away from the delicate hues typically associated with spring fashion. Instead, shades such as cobalt blue and high-contrast graphic motifs dominate. “Spring is often imagined through pastels, but for us the season also carries a sense of awakening,” says Narresh. “With Springlie, we wanted to capture that expressive side of the season.”

Apparel from the Springlie collection
| Photo Credit:
Babari Sat

Ease and structure

Movement remains central to the label’s design language, and the silhouettes in Springlie reflect what the designers describe as “fluid strength”. “We explored silhouettes that move with ease through draped lines, elongated forms and relaxed tailoring while still holding a sense of structure,” says Shivan.

Flowing silks, lightweight fabrics like cotton, organza and tulle, and sculptural swimwear create garments that respond to the body’s movement, while textured jacquards add visual depth. The designers say fabric experimentation plays a key role in translating the collection’s artistic references into wearable pieces.

Apparel from the Springlie collection
| Photo Credit:
Babari Sat

“Fabric is more than a base,” Narresh adds. “It becomes the medium through which colour, print and craftsmanship come together.”

Resortwear beyond holidays

When Shivan & Narresh first introduced luxury resortwear in India, the category itself was relatively unfamiliar in the domestic market. Over the past decade, however, the context for such clothing has broadened.

Destination weddings, honeymoons and milestone celebrations have expanded the occasions where resort-inspired silhouettes are worn. As a result, versatility has become an increasingly important consideration in the design process.

Apparel from the Springlie collection
| Photo Credit:
Babari Sat

“We focussed on silhouettes that feel effortless yet refined, allowing them to transition easily from day to evening,” explains Narresh.

Extending the wardrobe

Accessories appear as an extension of the collection’s visual language. Pieces such as the Olly tote bag, artisanal visors and leather slides echo the colours and graphic motifs seen in the garments, carrying the abstract references into smaller design elements.

“For us, accessories are never just finishing touches,” says Shivan. “They are independent design statements that complement the wardrobe while also standing on their own.”

Apparel from the Springlie collection
| Photo Credit:
Babari Sat

In translating the symbolic geometry and colour energy of Hilma af Klint into garments designed for movement, Springlie reflects how art continues to find new interpretations within fashion.

Upwards of ₹15,950 at Shivan and Narresh stores across the country and on shivanandnarresh.com

Published – March 17, 2026 03:33 pm IST