Sisters salute fashion

You have often seen her on the arm of her husband — santoor player — Rahul Sharma. Now, Barkha Sharma steps into the spotlight with her sister Sonzal by launching a new fashion label.

With polite smiles and radiant faces, the sisters Barkha and Sonzal speak in perfect harmony that comes across in their creations. Barkha says, “I have been designing and Sonzal was working with Arjun Khanna. We have been planning to work together for a while. As children, we were brought-up on a cultural diet of music, dance, art and design. Thus our sensibilities are the same.”

Barkha has worked and designed with various tribes of India, South Africa, parts of Europe, America, Egypt, etc as well as learnt their local dances. Barkha adds, “I have studied the various weaves and looms of textiles, as well as interior decoration and incorporate my inspiration through dance, Indian mythological stories especially Amar Chitra Katha, Dervish dancing, martial arts, crafts and music in the clothes.” The duo’s latest collection is called ‘The Last Dance of the Warrior.’

The girls are also doing their bit of charity. Barkha and Sonzal have designed jackets for the winners of the rickshaw challenge 2009. One of their jackets will be auctioned off, the benefits which will go to NGO Aseema. Barkha with a humble smile says, “The rickshaw challenge is a very interesting concept. Rickshaws from all over the world take part in the challenge. They travel from Chennai to Mumbai.”

So what are their dreams? Barkha gets animated, “I want everyone to wear sherwanis and jodhpuris at special occasions.” Sonzal adds, “I want even Hollywood stars to don Indian outfits, not tuxedos and strait-jackets.”

So what’s their signature style? Sonzal explains, “Frankly we are very unique. We try to create completely new and different creations each time. We like to incorporate varied weaves, textures, prints and fabrics in the outfits. But I think doori work is our signature style.”