After helping kids play with colour and explore their inventive side, Princess Naik finally gives in to her own creative instinct. The educationist of over 28 years takes a detour from the classroom to her workshop to realise her enduring dream of turning designer.
Naik's debut collection of saris will be unveiled at Asharaa today. “It's an important milestone for me. I've always wanted to try my hand at design. My personal wardrobe has been the first step towards realising my design dream. For me, improvisation is the key. I've seldom picked stuff from the racks and worn them as they are. I believe in adding my own touches to make a sari look different.”
The “Princess Collection” showcases saris reworked or updated to suit today's tastes. From sumptuous Kancheepuram silk to crisp chiffon and georgette, she has sourced fabrics and saris and added her own touches to them. The result… a pure Kancheepuram silk sari that might add too much weight to the modern bride's trousseau is teamed with matching Mysore silk in her half-and-half scheme. Similarly, heavy brocade for an extended pallu goes with wispy fabric for the body. Understated muslin from Dhaka is touched with interesting borders. “These are twists to make youngsters relate better to our traditional attire. Besides making the sari light, they also fall well.”
Besides add-on strips over borders and on the pallu, she's also perked up her creations with appliqué and prints. “I enjoy playing with a combination of materials. But since I've used only pure fabrics and zari, I've been careful not to go on a visual overdrive,” says Naik, who runs PlayCoop, a pre-primary centre for children. “This may not be a one-off show. I hope to continue with my journey in design,” she smiles.
Princess Collection will be launched with a fashion walk, on July 13 at Asharaa, Bheemanna Garden Road, Abhiramapuram (on till July 30).
Also on show will be a collection of luxury jewellery by Preeti Punjabi, under the brand name Naisha.
