They are a cut above the rest

Manpriya Singh 

A career in fashion designing is a tricky space to be in; thanks to social media everybody wants ‘something different’, but come to think of it, everybody wants the same thing; once again thanks to the internet!

And just in case a client walked in, with a design sensibility polar opposite to yours, it’s a test of all the diplomatic skills sharpened over the years. Amidst the ever-demanding clients, ever-increasing competition and ever-changing trends, what’s remained constant is their love for ‘clothes’ and commitment to creations.  Profiling some young and promising fashion designers from the city, for whom any drawback of being in the business of fashion is nothing more than a passing thought. 

Pure elegance

Amanjot Bajwa, 29, didn’t know what she wanted to do as a grown up. “But I knew one thing, that it had to be something to do with clothes,” shares the city-based designer, as she sets up her display area at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Mumbai in Mumbai. 

A degree in fashion from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia followed; to be again followed by a course in Mumbai. 

Today, fifth year into her label, which was named after her, she believes in keeping a safe distance from over-the-top creations. “My sensibilities are very straight, simple, understated; that’s how I like the outfits I make too.” 

Recently married to designer Armaan Randhawa, who’s showcasing at the Lakme Fashion Week, what upsets her the most is people getting into this business for frivolous reasons. “There are women who have space at home, nothing better to do so they feel — ‘let’s open a boutique’,” she says.

Marred by replica culture 

It is the reality and culture of replicas that annoys Rayshita Sachdeva, who has her studio right above the family business of retail clothing, by the name Sutra by Sachdevas. A B.Sc in fashion designing from NIIFT Mohali, the 29-year-old, therefore, declines most of the requests for replication - be they creations from A-list designers of the nation or fellow names in the city. “I also try and tell them in a nice way, what will look good and what won’t! Sometimes you just have to put your foot down.”  But blingy, over-the-top, asymmetrical, embellished… she doesn’t mind going all out and experimental. 

Going beyond the usual

Nimrat Narang, 26, who runs the label Nimrat Narang, pursued a Master’s in English, surprisingly not a degree in fashion. “That’s because I grew up watching my mother create art through design and textile. I never felt that I wanted to be a designer, it was always a part of me, my growing up years and my being, so to say,” shares the model and fashion designer, who often finds herself playing a stylist to her clients. Although she rues, “Not a lot of people understand or want to go beyond the usual designs, making it really hard for the creative hands to work.” Talk of challenges of being a designer and she nails it, “Challenges of being a designer today is that every other person is one.” 

Business to fashion 

Rachit Khanna, 30, launched his label Turquoise by Rachit Khanna, way back in 2009 at the age of 22 in his hometown Ludhiana. It was his passion towards fine arts, despite no formal degree in fashion, which drove him along. 

Being from a business family background, picking up commerce was a tradition rather than a choice. “I was always inclined towards art and design though.” It was while going through an unsuccessful stint in his family business of pharmaceuticals that he realised, ‘why not do what I love’! 

There is nothing he dislikes about a career in fashion, other than the rampant plagiarism. But what’s tough is, “Building the trust of your clients.” Which range from the biggest names in Pollywood, right from Gippy Grewal, Amrit Mann, Mandy Takhar to Simi Chahal, among several others. “To see your vision and craftsmanship on the clients is the best feeling.” Well, that explains not just his feeling, rather that of his fraternity!