October 2019 Edition Apparel October 2019 issue | Seite 31

FEATURE
it comes to sales so I even got insights
ghts into
the business aspect of establishing
a brand.”
After working with Sabyasachi for r a
year, Pooja set up her own studio and
nd
launched her eponymous label and
store in Kolkata in 2010. She says,
“Ours is a prêt line, which depicts
the wearer’s personality. I feel that
each aspect of a garment—its fabric,
c,
cut, silhouette, surface design, and
embellishment—is important and that
hat
an ensemble is a mini package of
different elements. Having said that, ,
each element needs to be relevant
to the overall garment. For instance, ,
if you do not need embroidery or a
similar form of embellishment for a
particular garment, then it need not
be worked on.”
THE CALL OF DESIGN
Pooja recalls her interest in design and clothes
from the time she was in middle school. Having
studied fashion at School of Fashion Technology
(SOFT), Pune, and subsequently at Parsons
The New School for Design, Pooja interned with
Kenneth Cole in New York for two months. Her
time in New York gave her valuable learning of the
international fashion industry.
Pooja then returned to Kolkata where she had
grown up, and worked with ace Indian designer
Sabyasachi Mukherjee for a year. “Working with
Sabyasachi was one of the best opportunities
that have come my way. I learnt a lot about Indian
textiles as he has extensive knowledge about
different weaves and embroideries. I even learnt
how it is like working with artisans, as he is deeply
involved with them. He is also quite efficient when
“EACH ELEMENT NEEDS
TO BE RELEVANT TO THE
OVERALL GARMENT.”
@Pooja
and patterns that were geometric and abstract,
in colour combinations such as black and gold,
deep blue and gold, and deep red and earthy
browns, which gave them a rich, soulful appeal.
She further used these fabrics to design a
collection of Western garments, and these were
presented at the Lotus Makeup India Fashion
Week Autumn Winter 2019 to appreciative
reviews. The collection marked an important
milestone for the young designer, whose wish
had always been to craft garments that are equal
parts attractive and versatile.
APPAREL
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