Striking a chord with fashion

BANGALORE: For fashion designer Neha Periwal, designing was always her first love. “I love working with garments,” says the National Institute of Fashion Design graduate.Based out of Kolkata, Periwal’s latest collection that is on display in the city till today, plays with cool colours and fabrics like cotton and fine silk. The collection is distinguished into day and night wear. While the day wear colours are bright and on the lighter shade, the night wear is deeper. “The silhouettes are voluminous with subtle embellishments. The styles are essentially smart tunics and dresses that can be teamed with tights or leggings,” she says.She further adds, “We have used a lot of tie-n-dye and embellishments like hand-made tassels, tiny velvet balls and ghoongroos for the day wear. The white fabric that is used for the day wear is self textured. The fabric’s texture combined with tie-n-dye was an interesting mix. The results are very intriguing. On the other hand the night wear is sprinkled with metallic and non-metallic beads to add the oomph to the garment,” she reveals.After working with garment export companies and renowned designers like Anamika Khanna, Periwal decided to start her very own label, Indulge.  The original blue-print of her venture involved jewellery and accessories designing as well along with apparels. “Unfortunately, I could not devote much time to the accessories and jewellery. However, in time I will venture into it as well,” she informs.Her label, was launched two years ago and since then, the new mother has come a long way juggling her family and career simultaneously. “I always knew I wanted to do this. I figured that I would rather channelise my creativity and ideas into designing than sitting at home doing nothing,” says the designer. While working with a print product with the same title she decided to change course and turn into an entrepreneur. When quizzed if that was her inspiration, she is quick to add that she got very emotional about the product and hence decided to call her label, Indulge.Inspired by none other than one of the most well known and flamboyant global designers, Alexander McQueen she quoted, “I am very inspired by the late designer’s style and designs. In fact his fall 2008 collection was inspired by the Indian collection.” Closer to home, Periwal admires Anamika Khanna’s work. “I love the fact that she uses only natural fabrics. Personally even I prefer natural material to synthetics,” says the designer who has a strong dislike for anything that is not natural.While envisaging the future of her label Periwal says that she is looking forward to take part in prestigious fashion weeks held in the country. “At the moment I have my eyes set on it. In time when I achieve my goal, I plan to go back to the original idea of working with accessories and jewellery. I would also like to team up with some of the good fashion houses so that I can retail my garments in Bangalore as well,” she says.Periwal’s collection is on display at The Lalit Ashok till today. The price for the day-wear begins at Rs 3,500 and that of night-wear starts at Rs 5,000.