Inspired by a rich heritage

Drawing most of her inspiration from her mother, designer Karishma Luharuwalla knew it from her childhood that fashion designing is what she wants to do.

She strived to achieve her dreams and at the age of 20, she launched her label ‘Faabiiana’. Working with silhouettes that are Indian, she gives contemporary twist to traditional attires. In a chat with Surupasree Sarmmah, Karishma talks about her life as a designer and how she sees a bright future for the Indian fashion industry.

You started your career at a very young age... what inspired you to take up designing?

I always wanted to be a fashion designer and I remember how I used to style everybody at home. This apart, my mother started a small boutique studio at home when I was studying, that kind of inspired me more. I joined her after my studies and that’s how everything fell into place.

What does your label ‘Faabiiana’ signify?

It was actually a funny incident. We were renovating our house and my father too was starting a new industry. So, we had called a ‘vaastu’ consultant and he said all our ventures have to start with ‘faa’. The name is based on the power of numbers and ‘faa’ carries a positive and a powerful energy for the label.

Tell us about your style of work...

I primarily work with silhouettes that are traditional yet has a modern outlook. I blend the two worlds to create a refreshing and stylish couture wear for the new-age brides. Embroidery works like ‘Lucknowi’, ‘muskaish’, ‘chikankari’ and ‘zardosi’ in pastel neutral hues like jade green, pistachio green and dusty pink are the colours I go for.

The first piece you designed...

It was a ‘zardosi’ embroidered long kurta. It was about five years back and I remember when my mom started the studio, it was sold out the very first day. 

Where does your design aesthetic draw its inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from the rich heritage of India. The artistic works of the royal palaces and the rustic forts inspire me. Also, I have always seen my family dressed royally, be it my grandmother or my mother. So being around such a culture inspired my creative process too. My designs are also inspired by my travels.

Your thoughts on the Indian fashion industry...

It is definitely one of the most versatile industry. It is experimental and has a bright future. 

Any advice for upcoming designers, anything that you learned on your way up...

It is a very competitive industry and you just can’t give up. You need to be there and you have to be different.