Ikshit Pande curates summer looks from QUOD’s debut resort line
QUOD's debut resort wear delivers a sun-soaked story, woven with intention and ease
With everyone adopting greener, cleaner, and more sustainable ways of life, responsible and conscious fashion has been steadily gaining momentum across generations for quite some time now. The slowly but sturdily rising tribe of young dressers now not only likes to buy smart and multiwear options but also loves to trace their product’s make. As the gruelling summer season kicks in, we explore the lightweight fabrics that turn your everyday looks into something out of the ordinary. Fashion designer Ikshit Pande, whose label QUOD is known for its eccentric and quirky silhouettes, joins us to construct a mood board of three summery looks that take inspiration from nature. Delhi-based stylist Gursha Bedi enriches the whole affair with her well-curated inputs captured brilliantly by Anjali Sharma, who is also the creative director for the shoot. Ikshit has caringly put together all the looks to transport the viewers somewhere amidst the lush greens with a gurgling stream of cool water, where the fragrances of summer blossoms are sure to soothe tired minds. The designer takes us through the looks from his first-ever resort collection, Endless Summer.
Tell us about the mood board for this fun summer shoot.
We weren’t chasing a 'look' — it was more of a feel- ing. Long, slow days. Salt in your hair. The kind of mood where you never want to leave the water. There were white lotus vibes, frozen margaritas, stripes and chevrons, and washed-out pastels thrown in. Of course, we kept it very QUOD — clean shapes, sharp cuts, and fluid construction. But with a bit more of the sun. The entire collection is designed to feel effortless, especially the drift kaftan dress. That one came from a really calm day by the sea — those moments where you’re not rushing anywhere, just let- ting the day happen. I wanted the kaftan to feel like that. Super lightweight, something you can just slip on and forget about. But still with structure, it falls in a way that feels thought-through without trying too hard. It’s the kind of piece that moves with you, whether you‘re by the water or out to lunch. Effortless, but still quietly put-together.
Tell us about the collection, Endless Summer, of which these looks are a part.
All these looks are created with outfits from our resort collection, Endless Summer. It’s our first-ever resort col- lection — and it feels like a natural next step for us. All 16 looks are super breathable, mostly cotton, and made for movement. You’ll find dresses, co-ords, kaf- tans, and some fun overlay pieces. The colours are very summer without being loud — washed aquas, softened stripes, bleached sand, and terracotta blush. It’s all low effort, high impact and those that help you quickly undress and embrace the water. Think ocean-dipped cottons, asymmetric closures, and tailored ease.
What’s working this summer for casual chic and evening wear?
Clothes that feel like a second skin. Nothing too done- up. For daytime, light shirts and airy dresses work. For the evenings, cleaner cuts, slightly sharper tailoring, and easy structures are preferred. Comfort is non- negotiable now.
How do you see the definition of sustainability transforming over the years in fashion?
It’s less about buzzwords and more about how things are made. For us, sustainability is about thoughtful sourcing, season-less silhouettes, the environment in which clothes are made, the people who make them, and creating clothes that one wants to wear again and again. It’s not about being perfect, just being better.
What new things are you noticing in indigenous weaves?
There’s more respect for the way designers are working with crafts now, letting the textile or weave lead the design, instead of forcing it into trends. Craft-educated design is what we’re rooting for. That shift feels good.
