Designer Anjali Patel Mehta traces Verandah’s journey from a bedroom atelier to a global resortwear label, blending Indian craftsmanship with a relaxed, borderless aesthetic. She champions conscious luxury, zero-waste production, and sustainable fabrics, while translating her grandmother’s legacy into nostalgic yet modern collections that resonate with women seeking versatile, emotionally meaningful pieces worldwide.
Designer Anjali Patel Mehta started Verandah from her bedroom 14 years ago, though building a brand only took shape after her first Mumbai fashion week showcase. At the time, Indian retail centred largely around craft-led occasion wear, so Verandah's relaxed, getaway aesthetic didn't quite fit. Mehta focused on pop-ups while spending those early years designing soft, wearable collections for a global woman.
For its first six years, Verandah operated as a custom atelier, pivoting to retail after its Miami Swim Week showcase in 2017. Resort 2018 marked her global retail entry through Neiman Marcus and Moda Operandi. "Until then, I had consciously held back, waiting to define a clear distribution strategy. Once I did, the journey became very intentional — I had a bucket list of what I saw as my 'windows to the world,' and we built from there," says Mehta.
The resort wear space has grown into a global, collaborative category, with international designers increasingly turning to Indian craftsmanship. "I feel fortunate to be at the source, working with karigars and textile mills to create something rooted yet contemporary," she shares. India has long produced handcrafted luxury for the world, and she wanted to translate that into a wearable, global aesthetic — joyful, craft-respectful, and detailed in a way that adds meaning to each piece.
What Mehta finds most interesting now is the shift towards a more borderless design language. Craft is no longer confined by geography. “Techniques that were once reserved for couture ateliers are now finding their way into everyday wardrobes. Alongside that, there’s a growing awareness around supply chains and provenance, with more designers and ateliers openly sharing their processes. It’s a shift that feels both important and long overdue,” she observes.
No wonder this unique design lexicon with a pan-global sensibility has found worldwide audiences. After debuting internationally with Moda Operandi, Verandah launched at Bergdorf Goodman four years ago — a continuing key partnership. The brand has since built a distinctive niche, showing consistently on the fashion calendar across Miami, New York, and Paris. This week, its Spring Summer collection launches at major international retailers: Selfridges in London, Bongénie in Switzerland, Saks across the US, and Harvey Nichols in Doha.
Robb Report India spoke to the designer on crafting contemporary luxury resort wear and Verandah’s eco-conscious production practices and partnerships.
Anjali Patel Mehta: Resortwear has evolved far beyond its seasonal identity into a year-round expression of a global, fluid lifestyle. Women today move constantly between cities, climates, and contexts, seeking wardrobes that keep the same pace. At Verandah, we've always approached resortwear as effortless, elevated dressing — not confined to holidays. What's shifted is the consumer mindset: there's a stronger focus on versatility, longevity, and emotional value. Pieces are bought for how seamlessly they transition from beach to bar, city to vacation, day to evening — a more intuitive luxury that prioritises ease, individuality, and timelessness over seasonal trends.
APM: For me, it’s always about striking a thoughtful balance between heritage and modernity. I’ve always felt strongly about preserving the rich, layered essence of Indian craftsmanship, but the interpretation has to feel relevant to the woman of today. At Verandah, we take artisanal techniques and reinterpret them through fluid, contemporary silhouettes and lighter, more wearable fabrications to tell personal stories through our collections. The goal is to retain the soul of the craft while ensuring the pieces feel effortless and globally relevant. We design pieces that feel rooted yet refined, something that carries a story, but can be worn intuitively across different settings and parts of the world.
APM: Conscious luxury is at the heart of Verandah, informing every decision — from design to production and partnerships. We operate as a zero-waste brand, producing in small batches using natural and certified Indian fabrics alongside artisanal handcraft techniques that support local communities. Our pieces are designed to be timeless and versatile, moving beyond seasons and trends. Our luxury swimwear is designed in India and handmade in small batches in Italy using sustainable fabrications.
In 2024, we received the Butterfly Mark for ESG and sustainability from Positive Luxury UK, becoming the first Indian luxury brand to earn this recognition. Through our Baagh Pari initiative, we support the education of over 80 Moghiya tribal girls in Ranthambhore, alongside reforestation efforts in the Molai Forest Reserve.
APM: It was a deeply personal and emotional process. My grandmother shaped so much of my understanding of beauty — her home, her love for florals, her sense of warmth, and individuality have always stayed with me.
With Ammama, I wanted to bring alive the softness and nostalgia of her world — her gardens, the magnolia tree at her home, the quiet beauty of everyday life. This translated into breezy silhouettes, hand-illustrated botanical prints, and a palette that felt sunlit and serene.
With Bejewelled, the inspiration came from her personal style — her love for vintage South Indian jewellery, Kanjeevaram silks, and her effortless ability to blend tradition with individuality. We reinterpreted these elements through intricate prints, embroidery, and fluid resort silhouettes that felt both heirloom-inspired and contemporary.
It really felt like translating memory into design, taking something deeply intimate and reimagining it in a way that resonates with the modern woman.
APM: It's a carefully built network representing the best of luxury in their respective regions — places I'd personally want to visit or experience. The rule is simple: if I don't connect with a space or its philosophy, we don't place the brand there. Equally important has been patience — if a product isn't right, there's no point forcing it. Staying true to your identity matters more than appealing to everyone. Remain authentic and consistent, and you will find your place.
APM: The show was perfect for us in every way. A lot of that credit goes to Alex Bovaird, who first reached out at the start of Season 2. She brought together some of our chicest pieces from the world of luxury vacation dressing, with each look considered and story-driven.
What the experience made clear to me is the real impact of pop culture on a brand like ours. We’ve always preferred to stay under the radar and let clothes speak for themselves, but it also feels like the right time to be more intentional about visibility. It’s a space we’re still learning in, and I’d like to approach it in our own way-by collaborating with people and places we genuinely connect with