'I love working with newbies'

Niharika Vivek had no plans of becoming a fashion designer but the lure of destiny was too strong to resist.

When she went to Mumbai and tried her hand at fashion designing in the hope of learning something new, little did she know that she would fall in love with this profession soon. Four years on, Niharika is now an established presence in the fashion industry, especially in Bengaluru.

The designer is well known for her Indo-western designs that are loved by a wide range of Sandalwood and Kollywood actors like Kavya Shetty, Shruthi Hariharan and more.

She gets candid in a chat with Asra Mavad about her inspiration and more.

Did you always want to be a part of the fashion industry?

No, not at all. My interest in the fashion industry came at a later stage in my life. It was only after I completed my degree in commerce and finished an animation course, that I decided that I wanted to experiment and do something different. That is how I ended up at a fashion school in Mumbai and I have not looked back since then.

You recently showcased your designs at 'Bengaluru Fashion Week'. How was the experience?

It was a great experience and I had an amazing time. I got to meet a lot of fashion enthusiasts and it was nice to share our thoughts on various trends and designs. Being backstage was a lot of fun as well. There was a lot to learn from this experience.

What's your favourite part of working in the industry?

Personally I love working with all the newbies in town, be it photographers or makeup artists. Working with people that are new in the industry is like a breath of fresh air, they always come up with interesting ideas that makes work all the more exciting. It is nice to give them a chance. I personally would have really loved it if I was given such chances when I was new to the industry.

Who are the designers who inspire you?

Georges Chakra is a designer who has greatly inspired my own work, I really look up to him as a designer. Another all-time favourite designer is Manish Malhotra. I love all of his creations.

What do you think will be trending in 2018?

I believe floral is here to stay. It may not be as big of a trend as it was in 2017 but we will definitely be seeing hints of floral here and there. Other than that, denim is definitely going to blow up.

Any advice for aspiring designers?

It's important to remember that there is nothing wrong in being a little different and trying to make a statement. But trying to be different all the time and set trends also might not be a smart idea. It's important to strike a healthy balance between the two, as sometimes we designers just need to go with the flow and follow the ongoing trends. Also, always make it a point to learn from your mistakes and be patient.