I love challenges, says fashion designer Sulakshana Monga

With two decades of fashion designing under her belt, showcasing for the 1st time at the Blenders Pride Fashion Week is more like an exciting challenge for Delhi-based fashion designer Sulakshana Monga

Q: What’s attracted you to take part in the Blenders Pride Bangalore Fashion Week?
A: This is my first time at the Bangalore Fashion Week and I decided to take part in it for two main reasons. One is I love challenges and for a designer nothing’s more challenging than designing and showcasing at a fashion week. The second and more important reason is that I am planning to establish my brand in the city. Participating at the Bangalore Fashion Week will give me a good idea of the market as well introduce Bangaloreans to my work.

Q: Tell us about the collection you’ve got lined up for your show?
A: My collection for the Bangalore Fashion Week is inspired by royalty but instead of going over-the-top opulent, I toned down the whole look because I believe that Bangaloreans are more subtle in their sartorial choices. The collection has gowns, lehengas, formal wear and corsets too; the colour palette I’ve chosen for the line is red, ivory and orange. You can say that I have tried to merge Indian art with modern technology for this collection.

Q: What’s your design palette? And who is your ideal customer?
A: I dabble in both Indian and Indo-western silhouettes but frankly, I really enjoy designing the latter the most. You will see that most of my designs have rich embroidery but the silhouettes are very western. That is also because my label caters to young independent women who like wearing branded clothes that have some Indian element in them. Any young woman between 16 to 30 years would love wearing them.That said, I am also developing a line for the 30 plus old woman.

Q: For a self-taught designer, you have stuck around for a long time. How does one survive for so long? And where do you look for ideas?
A: I have been in the fashion industry for 21 years and my black hair has turned gray! But like that Hindi song goes, Dil toh baccha hai ji, I really believe that to survive in the fashion industry for a long time you have got to be young at heart. That’s the only way you can come out with new designs year after year. I am essentially a self-taught designer and I can’t say it enough but nature has always been my greatest inspiration.

Q: So tell us, are you a bundle of nerves before the show starts?
A: I have taken part in many fashion weeks over the years. I can safely say that I am past getting nervous about shows. It’s just a complete feeling of excitement when I see my designs on the ramp.