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Suchita's Stylista is the brainchild of Suchita Pandey, a Dubai-based designer who has explored the depths of ethnic Indian fashion. She has managed to carve a niche in aesthetically brilliant ethnic designs. She shares her thoughts in an interview with WKND. Excerpts:
How has your love for art manifested in your fashion?
I come from a state in India where art runs in our DNA. Rajasthani women are very creative, and that manifests in their work. Many in my family are talented in art, music, acting, painting, etc. I was, from childhood, inclined towards art and creativity.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of designing clothes?
When I am at peace, alone and relaxed, ideas and images start coming to my mind, which I immediately pen down in an artistic form. Most of the time, in my mind, I mix and match colours, cultures, fabrics, threads, and accessories. Later, that art takes the shape of my designer clothes. The most fulfilling aspect is when I see women wearing those ideas confidently and passionately.
Your dresses are worn by women in the US, Europe, UK and the Middle East. What aspect of your designs do you think appeals to a global clientele?
I have lived in Germany for 11 years and in Dubai for seven years and have been involved in designing western and Indo-western fusion dresses catering both to Asian and European clients. Each dress of mine has a personal touch of love and passion attached to it, which is very much appreciated by my clients. I am easily accessible to them all the time. They wear my dresses with pride and confidence.
You have also been promoting traditional handicrafts and support the education of the children of workers. Can you talk a bit about your philanthropic work to empower artisans?
Though I have a humble background and upbringing, I consider myself to be fortunate enough to have been well-educated to follow and develop my career, goals and passion. I believe that the key to success is proper and precise education. The artisans who are the backbone of this industry are not very well paid and generally are not able to send their kids to schools.
At Stylista, I sponsor the kids of workers so that when they grow up, they have the chance to pursue their dreams. I will be happy if they promote the work of their parents after their education and take it to the next level of workmanship and management.
Can you describe the journey of your brand? How has it reinvented itself in Dubai?
After my studies, I started my boutique as "Bani Thani" in Jaipur. Soon, this brand became a household name in Jaipur and Delhi, but as luck had it, I got married to a Merchant Navy Captain, and my life took a turn. We moved to Dubai in 2001 after marriage, from where I pursued my passion but in 2003, my husband took up a job in Hamburg, Germany, and we moved there.
In Germany, I continued my work and got in touch with local German designers and started making Indo-western fusion dresses, which soon became a hit.
Finally, after getting my German citizenship, I opened my company in the beautiful port city of Hamburg. Life again took a turn when we relocated to Dubai in 2013. Brand "Suchita's Stylista" was born then and has improved and thrived. I have been lucky enough to have lived and worked both in Europe, the Middle East and India, and this reflects in the dresses I design. Each of my design/dress has a personal touch of passion and love.
What lies ahead for Stylista in 2019?
I am working on some very fresh designs, styles, colours, fabrics and fusions. 2019 will have a lot of surprises for my clients. Let's wait and watch. The future is "handmade" and clothing is an entire language of its own.
- suchitra@khaleejtimes.com
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