Infrastructure is not the only thing changing in Luxembourg. When Zenia Dutta Roy arrived in Luxembourg about 14 years ago, most people preferred to play safe with their fashion choices, especially with regards to colours. Over time, she notes a shift in fashion preferences in favour of comfort, practicality and, most importantly, an openness to colour.
As you walk into the Les Sûtras boutique, it’s almost impossible for your face not to light up at the sight of the beautiful array of scarves, vibrant clothing--including jackets, tops, ponchos, capes, kimonos--accessories and personalised home products. Les Sûtras’ motto is “threads that bind”, and its aim is to unite various groups through threadworks.
When it comes to fashion in Luxembourg, it’s not just the youngsters upping their game, but also older clients, including men. In fact, most of her clientele range from 35 to 90 years old. “They are loving colours and are open to new things, and it’s very encouraging,” explains Dutta Roy, while recalling the pleasure of an 80-year-old trying on a cape.
Although the dynamic patterns, colours and designs come from her, she humbly adds that a lot of her ideas originate from her clients and that she collaborates with other designers.
“I believe in slow fashion and classics, and I always use sustainable and natural material. We have started using lotus and rose fabrics, for instance. Silk never goes out of style; designs like these will never go out of style,” says Dutta Roy. To expand the clothing varieties and shopping options for Luxembourg’s clientele, a good number of the brand’s clothing includes unisex and unisize options, given the preoccupation of the founder to limit waste.
Her own personal style includes blending plain colours with colourful accessories or merging colourful or patterned fabric with plain scarves or jackets. “There’s a possibility of doing different things with colours,” explains Dutta Roy, and there are no dos and don’ts if you feel good in them.
Les Sûtras also collaborates with and promotes other Luxembourg brands in-store and works together with local designers for its bridal line. “Luxembourg is very encouraging. If they like your work or art, they really promote you, and they value when there is a human touch to the brand and that’s what I want to do,” explains Dutta Roy. “It’s not just the numbers for me.”
As a way of giving back, the Luxembourg brand collaborates with AEIN (Aide à l'Enfance de l'Inde et du Népal) and a percentage of proceeds made from sales are dedicated towards the education of children in these regions.
is located at: Galerie Beaumont, 56 Grand Rue, Near Paris 8 Perfumery, L-1660.
It has been edited to include more information.