Unnati Shukla, founder, FOSSAE
For her debut collection, Ebony & Ivory, 25-year-old Unnati Shukla begins with fashion's most elemental contrast. Across eight looks, the collection explores the relationship between form and movement, using a monochromatic palette to draw attention to silhouette, construction and detail. It is the first expression of FOSSAE, the luxury fashion house Unnati Shukla is building around a clear design philosophy: intention in every detail, refinement without excess, and clothing that makes an impression without asking for attention.
Unnati's journey into luxury fashion began with business. Unnati studied Business Management with Marketing at Royal Holloway, University of London, before moving to Milan to pursue Luxury and Global Fashion Management. Between the two cities, she developed an understanding of the industry beyond the runway: how design acquires an identity, how a brand builds distinction, and what it takes to turn a creative vision into a luxury house. That thinking informs FOSSAE's approach to design. From pattern-making and draping to the final stitch, the emphasis is on how each element contributes to the finished silhouette. The intention is not simply to create a striking piece, but one whose appeal lies in the interplay of proportion, material and construction.
In Ebony & Ivory, this philosophy finds expression through sculpted gowns, architectural tailoring, considered cut-outs and delicate embellishment. The collection moves between fluidity and structure, sensuality and restraint, allowing each silhouette to make its statement through form rather than excess. The monochromatic palette keeps the focus on the finer nuances of design, from the precision of a cut to the movement of fabric.
The name FOSSAE draws inspiration from the fossa, known for its agility and quiet strength. These qualities resonate with the woman at the centre of the House: confident, composed and distinctive. Her style is individual rather than prescriptive, moving comfortably between softness and strength, sensuality and structure.
Unnati believes that a woman's wardrobe should evoke something personal, whether confidence, curiosity or simply the feeling of being more oneself. It is a perspective that places the wearer at the centre of the design process, allowing fashion to become an expression of identity rather than an exercise in following trends. With Ebony & Ivory, she establishes the foundations of FOSSAE through a focused palette, sculptural design and an appreciation for considered detail. The ambition is to build a House with a recognisable point of view, one that can evolve while remaining true to its aesthetic.
For a young founder entering Indian luxury fashion, the first collection is a beginning. FOSSAE's proposition is clear: fashion designed with intention, defined by restraint and made to feel distinctly personal.
