"It Started With A Story,” Says Anamika Khanna On Creating AK-OK’s Bonda Tribe Inspired Collection

What started with a story translated into a creative amalgamation of design, art and culture, when Anamika Khanna unveiled AK-OK’s spring/summer collection on the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI runway.

As the creative force behind AK-OK, Anamika Khanna’s free-spirited and fearless vision for the collection drew inspiration from the adventures of a travelling biker of Orissa’s Bonda Tribe. Signature Anamika Khanna styles were met with rich heritage, giving the spring/summer 2024 collection a new journey to embark on.

Reflecting on what aspects of the Bonda Tribe caught her attention, Anamika Khanna says, “It started with a story I read about them on why they [Bonda Tribe] started dressing in a certain way. When I saw the images – the beads that they wore, the wraps that they did over the beads, it felt more fashionable than the fashion we present every day. That was the starting point of my inspiration.”

Along the way, Anamika met one of her friends who is a biker and talked about the interchange of the tribal people with bikers and that gave life to the collection. Forty artistically envisioned creations were designed to commemorate the rich culture of the community along with AK-OK’s contemporary design language.

With statement pieces encapsulating the essence of AK-OK, the collection can be characterised by their playful, diverse, experimental, versatile and empowering silhouettes.

The attitude was fearless and the collection is definitely timeless. Fluid shapes, gold zari fringe pieces, multiple coin embellishments, handcrafted beaded necklaces, bold colours, graphic prints and the iconic zardozi shredding embodied the authentic spirit of AK-OK beautifully woven into the aesthetics of the Bonda tribe.

If adventure is what you seek this summer, embark on a journey where a style story is waiting to unfold. Like Anamika believes, “Be fearless, and you do what you think in your heart is right.”

The metal coin crop top was inspired by the Bonda tribe’s use of coins and beads to cover their chests. Here,  the model has paired it with a soft and easy-fitting silk jacket and slouchy silk pants. The set is highlighted with gold zari embroidery and is organically shredded.

The AK-OK muse, Shanaya Kapoor, looks biker chic in the statement high-low shirt dress, fully hand-embroidered in tribal motifs featuring brass sequins, coins and studs. She paired it with studded high boots. Shanaya aced the tribal inspired modern biker vibe in this showstopper look.

The fully embroidered blazer with metal coins and gold sequin is inspired by the Bonda tribe’s use of coins and beads, paired with a soft drape in chiffon with denim contrast. The look is perfectly chic and dramatic for your next adventure.

Denim is utilised in an elevated and experimental manner, hand-crafted, dyed and treated in a unique way, embodying the authentic spirit of AK-OK.

The classic kurta gets a makeover and is turned into a chic, sexy and contemporary piece. The easy, high slit printed kurta is paired with a bra-top and broad pants. The whole set is highlighted with hand embroidered metal coin and bead work.