'It's all about keeping it real'

WEAVING MAGIC

She is a self-taught designer whose designs are worn by the who’s who of the glamour industry with pride. Her confidence is impeccable and the touch of luxury that she adds to her creations spells out wonders on the ramp.

Archana Kochchar tells Metrolife that despite being in the fashion industry for all these years, it’s only her passion for dressing that keeps her going. “I recently took a break for 15 days and went on a vacation to Italy. When I returned, I was itching to do some new designs and couldn’t wait to get back to work. That’s how much I love my work — I can never see myself not designing,” Archana tells Metrolife.

Known for her wedding collections, Archana says that there has been a shift in the wedding industry this year. She has observed that a lot of young couples prefer to keep a destination wedding.

“So they want a good combination of traditional and modern designs. That’s why you can see a lot of kaftans and anarkalis making their way into the trousseau,” she adds.

Giving some pointers to the soon-to-be-brides, Archana suggests to keep things simple and yet different. “Instead of the traditional choli and lehenga one can team their lehenga with a long anarkali. Or if you don’t want the sari, you can go in for something called the sari gown, which not only fits well but is also easy to maintain,” she adds.

Something that is making a big comeback in the fashion scene is the anti-fit, and Archana says that it’s a must in every girl’s wardrobe. “Be it in polka dots or animal prints, these loose-fitted or anti-fit kurtas, are great for the warm days ahead,” she says.

Being a celebrity designer who is constantly under the media glare, Archana says that she tries to stay true to herself and focus on making her brand stronger.

“Over the years, I have learnt to handle the pressures of my work and moved on from mistakes. It’s all about keeping it real,” she sums up.