It’s been a year since you launched your label and started your flagship store, how has the experience been so far?
Overwhelming! I remember I'd bought this place a few years back as an investment. After planning to set up the store here, initially I'd intended to use only one fifth of this huge place but with time we ended up utilizing all of it. The new stock keeps coming, more sell-outs, we do shoots here, there’s a utility room, there’s a digital team operating from the store itself. I think we’re running short of space now. Time to expand even more! (laughs). We also conduct auctions on Instagram, the response on our website and facebook has been wonderful. My saris are now available in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Kolkota, Dubai.The best part is that there has been no looking back and we’re only growing stronger.
How did the idea of designing come up? What was the core of it?
I’ve for years been in love with saris. I walk into fabric stores, buy a few fabrics, take them to the tailor and tell them to make a sari the way I want. One evening I was wearing a sari I’d made like this to an event and people actually came up to me and asked which designer was I wearing? I said 'I'm wearing me' (laughs). That's when my husband told me that I should try my hand at designing and take it seriously. I thought why not take the love affair to another level. So yes, it started like that.
Did you learn the different aspects of designing?
I’m not from a design school so I don't draw those sketches with tall long necked model. I draw this rectangular diagram with 3 bifurcations -the beginning of the sari, the pleat area and the pallu then do my designing therein. Which actually helped me come up with my 3 fabrics sari in which we made the three sections with different fabrics. Ideas keep coming in from all sources you know, whenever I learn something new or get an idea I just put it on paper. There are times when I get up in the middle of the night and quickly jot down designs that cross my mind. I understand and know the colors, silhouettes and fabrics and I can’t think of a better garment to allow my creativity to flow through.
Give us an insight into your collection. Your taste, the fabrics you use, your preferences?
My collection is based on a very simple notion- every sari I design is something I would wear myself. They are a unique spin on the traditional six yards; an exquisite blend of traditional and contemporary fashion. They are classic yet inventive, elaborate yet minimal. It reflects my likes and sensibilities. My saris have never been about heavy work and lots of embroidery, they radiate color and drama. As far as fabrics are concerned, I use a mixture of net, satin, georgette, silk and chiffon, basically fabrics that drape well. I love to fuse and use fabrics and colors that are contrasting.
It’s a very versatile compilation. There’s something here for everyone.
Exactly! The fabrics, the colors and details allow anyone from a teenager to a glam grand mum to carry off my designs. I have been seeing college girls picking up their first saris from my collection to 65-year-olds going for the same ones. I feel my target woman is someone who just enjoys her sari and can carry it off with elegance. It’s gives me immense joy to see a 65 year old woman wearing a bright red sari and pulling it off with ease. I like that anyone who wears a sari well, can carry off my designs, whatever age, shape or size they may be.
Tell us something about your upcoming festive collection...
Since it’s a festive collection, it has plenty of bright colors, sparkle and bling. Wonderful new constructs, all specially designed keeping the Indian festive season in mind. We Indians absolutely love our festivals, so I hope my saris will add that necessary glitter to our festivities.
It’s impossible not to bring up the noodle strap. You introduced it to Indian women…
(laughs) The noodle strap was always there. But people took notice of it when they saw a woman wearing it while sitting on a panel of experts and talking cricket. But I’m glad I wore the most beautiful garment on such platforms. The more I wore saris, the more I grew to love them.
Did being a celebrity make it easy for you to be noticed as a designer?
Well in the beginning, it does give you that required push. But at the end of the day people want a good product. The quality of your work matters. Then it doesn't make a difference if you're a celebrity or a new comer. I remember at my exhibitions, women were pulling saris from each other’s hands and no one is even bothered that I’m standing right behind them. When the first sale was made, I actually told the lady, ‘I want to take a picture with you’.
You’re doing so many things at the same time. Events, anchoring, Tv, shoots, designing... how do you manage? Isn’t it difficult?
Its funny you know, few years back people used to ask me how I manage all the multi tasking and I’d say yes its difficult, but I’m keeping up. Whereas now the work and responsibilities are a 100 times more. My life revolves around my son. I plan my days according to his school and classes timings. But that’s when I’m not shooting. If I’m shooting then it’s not in my control. But otherwise he is the center of my schedules, I drop him to school, pick him up, come to to the store, take him to classes. It’s hectic, but I’m enjoying it, after all I love what I do.
Post 24, you must've been offered a lot of television...
Oh yes! All cop roles (laughs). Our Indian television lacks imagination. Once you do a particular role and it works well, they stereotype you. And shows like 24 don't happen every day. It got everyone hooked, even the masses that don't watch our usual daily soaps were raving about it. The production value was of 24 was good and we knew that our hard work will result into something worth watching. We shot it like a film. The second season is being written now; we're all excited to start shooting again. But other than 24, nothing that great has come my way on Tv for which I'd want to give 20 days of my month. It has got to be productive.
And films?
I get offered these bhahi and sister type roles. Well I'd like to do roles that are important and hold significance in the story even if it’s a 4-minute role. And down south, I’m being offered leads and item numbers. I don't want to do item numbers so that one’s a definite no. But before signing any film I have to looks at the production value of it or will it ever see the light of the day.
You’re one of the fittest celebrities around. When do you remove time for workouts from your busy schedule?
I wake up early and dedicate my mornings to working out, at least 5 times a week. I make sure not to miss my morning exercises, as I don’t get any time during the rest of the day. We’ll start shooting for season 2 of 24 soon; I’m toning my arms so that I can wear sleeveless shirts and stuff.
Will you wear a MB saree in the season 2 of 24?
(laughs) I don’t think my character Nikita even owns a sari! But if given a chance, why not!