Kolkata is not a backdrop; it is the soul of my work: Parama Ghosh

A lawyer-turned-designer, Parama Ghosh, founder of Parama Calcutta, has redefined occasionwear by turning the blouse into the hero. Known for distinctive embroidery and Kolkata-inspired motifs, her work transforms everyday narratives into wearable art. She has extended the storytelling to saris, blending the bohemian with vintage – building her signature style and emerging as a changemaker in Kolkata’s contemporary fashion landscape.Finding magic in the mundaneI was taught to find magic in the mundane – to slow down, to notice, to feel. My daily commute past Red Road and Prinsep Ghat became a lesson in observation, thanks to my father’s insistence on looking outside. The river, the bridges, the Palash in bloom – these moments shaped how I see. It was my first lesson in design: to value what most overlook.Kolkata: the living museumCalcutta is a living museum – ever-evolving, quietly inspiring through its chaos and charm. Its instinctive, unpretentious style shapes my work, where storytelling feels natural. Interestingly, our designs travel far beyond the city, becoming keepsakes for many. For me, the brand is a love letter to the city and the place that taught me how to see.Style, but the Kolkata wayThe city’s biggest style statement has always been its refusal to be pretentious. It does not chase trends. It does not try to fit in. We have seen sneakers paired with Shantipuri saris, Tants worn confidently in boardrooms, and Dhonekhalis dancing through nightclubs long before social media labelled it “woke.” In Kolkata, style has always been instinctive, not performative. The sleeveless blouse is another example. It was never a statement piece rather it was everyday wear for our grandmothers and mothers. Comfort and confidence came before approval. At the same time, our back-covered blouses with stories became instant hits. That’s because the city loves to experiment. It embraces the new just as easily as it honours the old.How it all beganParama did not begin as a business plan. It began as a feeling – of wanting to hold on to fleeting moments. My first design, Palash, came instinctively. It was followed by the Howrah Bridge, which gradually became a signature. These were never just motifs – they were stories, memories, and emotions translated into something tangible.Nothing I design is random – it all comes from something I’ve lived. It’s all built on memories and moodboards : ParamaPix: Anindya Saha