Nayantaara

If your designs could speak, what would they say?

At the heart of it all, Nayantaara believes in being not just appealing to the eye but to the sensibilities of the modern Indian woman. Stemming from the depths of the inherent traditional embroideries and rich craftsmanship of India, our designs weave themselves malleably into the wearers' desires - sophisticated elegance and opulence, worn with grace and aplomb.

What are the signature elements in your designs?

Our creations are best known for our signature pastel colors that are soothing to the eye, and our seamless stitching capabilities that are pleasing to the touch. We pride ourselves on the intricate detailing that goes into every hand-embroidered creation, all resting on a timeless and classic design conscience.

Which celebrity or personality do you dream of dressing?

Which collection are you most proud of, and why?

The Atlantis collection is closest to my heart to date. It speaks about Nayantaara's versatility the most; it brought us out of our comfort zone and we experimented with a lot of new design elements. It also helped me learn a lot about myself and gave me the assurance that I was moving in the right direction. When it came to life, the collection looked nothing less than a dreamy world of Atlantis and just as we had imagined it!

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

My biggest belief is that fashion can elevate one's life in many ways but that luxury need not be unaffordable. I am inspired to create a label that brings confidence, class, and chicness in the women wearing Nayantaara and for that, I absorbed and understood the roots of Indian kaarigari and the range of artisanry our country has to offer from the ground up. The richness of Indian craftsmanship hence remains my inspiration.

Which designer in the world inspires you?

I am the most driven by none other than Sabyasachi Mukherjee - for not only what he has done tremendously with his brand but how his designs still speak loudly about his culture and the place he belongs to. The mix of colors and the beautiful threadwork make his outfits look larger than life and richly elegant. Be it a belt, a small piece of jewellery, or his signature lehenga, his work is true pride for any woman of India to own and wear.

Share a memorable "aha" moment from your design career.

As the post-Covid dust settled and we worked relentlessly to accelerate Nayantaara, we received our first bridal ensemble order - a to-be bride approached us for a grand outfit for her Wedding Reception; not just that, she also trusted us with outfits for mehendi and haldi ceremonies - all while she was based in the US! There was, in fact, a time when we had such high demand that with a heavy heart, we had to refuse orders. That was the aha moment that showed us how consumers can trust our brand and the quality of our products so well, that they needn't touch and feel the outfit to have an amazing Nayantaara wardrobe.