It was a usual December morning; I was working on my designs for a freelance work, when I received a call. It was a Mumbai number, which I wasn’t familiar with. Nervous with anticipation, I took the call. And there came the biggest news that I had been waiting to hear since long. I had been selected to showcase my collection as a part of Gen Next in Lakmé Fashion Week. Bang!
I froze with excitement, hardly able to react to the news. I wanted to jump, laugh, shout but to no avail. I called up my close friends and informed them still unable to grasp the feeling. Very soon people started calling to congratulate, mails came in for the requirement for the show, and things were moving too fast. I wanted to sit and analyze what was happening, when I received another call. It was from Aki Narula!!! One of my favourite designers! I seriously needed someone to pinch me!
Aki being the Gen Next mentor spoke to me about the shoot he was planning to do for the Gen Next designers with Elle, discussed about the collection which I wanted to showcase and gave some tips on what works for the buyers. It was a very comforting conversation to understand what is expected and what needs to be done. The exciting day came to an end and I finally sat with myself to look back at the journey I took to get to this day-
It had been three months in November 2011 that I had come back from London after finishing my Graduate Diploma in Fashion from Central Saint Martin’s. I always wanted to start my own line and wanted to launch it in the best way. What better way than to do it through Gen Next at Lakmé Fashion Week!
As the registrations for the application were open in November, I registered myself to give a chance for my dream to take shape. It being my first application to Gen Next and practically no work experience, I had doubts about my selection. I chose to work on the theme-Aura, which I did for my final collection in CSM, as it was something which I loved doing. Aura as a theme excited me due to its mystic elements and the colourful concoction of fantasy. I had felt that something that I did with my heart in it, should earn good result. So, I decided to send the garments made in London for my final collection, for the selection process. The result- we all know.
Now that it’s just two months to the show, I am trying hard to complete the collection way before the deadline. I do not want to settle on any design till it’s thoroughly worked out. I am trying to source fabrics from different cities and working on alternate and new garment finishes.
Launching the label under my name at the best platform of the country is a dream come true. Gen Next at Lakmé Fashion Week is the only platform in the country which recognizes young designer’s talent and not only gives an opportunity to showcase the work but also supports the designers with experienced team of people to achieve the best. All in all, Gen Next is the perfect platform, where a young designer can weave its dreams into reality and I am happy to get one woven!
