Bangalore-based designer Namrata G is no lesser than a juggling artist these days. Preparing for the upcoming Haywards Black India Men’s Fashion Fair 2007, executing a fashion journal, devising a student development workshop to Corpret Fox, her enterprise for motivating corporate executives, Namrata surely has her hands full. The designer updated Metrolife about her balancing act.

The collection...
I have done a complete retro collection for the new man. There will be a lot of prints. There are harem pants made of swiss crepe that lends a flowy drape.

Men are so bored of churidaar-kurta. It’s all about the individual now. Everyone wants to stand out.
I don’t want to ape the west in my design.

Our country is so unique and thus we have all the more reason to use our Indian heritage to the fullest.

On men’s fashion fair...

Business-wise I don’t know where the event will take us. But it’s a great exposure for my clients.

On the fashion journal...
I always wondered how my recall stays with a guest. We give our visiting cards but for how long does it remain with a client or is it simply thrown away?

This is when I decided to write this fashion journal. It’s going to replace my visiting card very soon.
A fashion planner - it’s actually spiral fashion diary, which will be my way of sharing my branding and knowledge of fashion.

The contents...
It will have photographs from all my collections that I have designed in the past. Then there are dos and don’ts of fashion. For instance, I have given tips on how to co-ordinate clothes and accessories for a black-tie event. The planner will help one note down his look for a certain occasion. This will become a reference for him the next time he has to attend a do. Dress code must be taken seriously and this journal will guide you to make your individual fashion statement.

Student workshops...
I have started a personality development programme for students preparing to face the corporate world. We teach them communication skills, expose them to different career possibilities, goal-setting and vision. I regularly conduct these workshops at colleges like PESIT, Sindhi College and RV College of Engineering. However, I wish that this becomes part of students’ curriculum.

The need for it...
It’s shocking to see that most students don’t see beyond lectures, don’t have a goal or a vision! Hobbies like music, dance or learning to play an instrument are essential ingredients today. But these students simply want to graduate and enter popular firms.

We teach them that it ain’t wrong to be a big fish in a small organisation either. They usually become a BPO member. We help them change their mind-sets.

On Corpret Fox...
Corpret Fox is a corporate programme for those already in the industry. We train you to become a corporate fox - clever, sharp yet savvy. Today individuals make organisations. Talent has more respect than regular performance. It’s all about the new global man. We guide them to become high-flying executives.

Men vs women...
When a man joins an organisation, all he aims is to become the CEO. A woman always comes with the family baggage. She takes breaks for marriage and babies. And then she forgets the fire to reach the top. We advise them to study during these breaks or work from home. Hence, they are prepared to regain entry into the industry. In fact, corporates today are looking at bringing back skills than investing time in training freshers.

Juggling many ventures...
I love to share knowledge and guide people. By the end of the year, you will see me in many spaces.