Preeti Chandra is a designer with a difference. Unlike her better known contemporaries, Preeti's shows are not remembered for the presence of Bollywood celebrities. In fact, no Bollywood star has ever been her brand ambassador or walked the ramp for her collection.
Preeti, who has just launched her Fall Winter Collection 2010 at her store in Crescent Mall, New Delhi, says, “I let my work speak for me. I do not run after Bollywood stars because there is no point in doing that. I am confident about my dresses. In fact, I am happy working with Hollywwod actors than those in Bollywood.”
The young designer is confident that her latest line will find takers not only in the western world but in India and West Asia too. West Asia is an emerging market with a great potential, we see most e Indian designers now trying to capture this new market. Preeti also sells her clothes there. “Countries like Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE have a big potential, this is the only region which was not affected by global recession and also, they are very good pay-masters. I sell a lot there even though I do not design special clothes for them, they buy what I sell in Milan and Paris and they love it,” she says.
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Preeti also has a loyal following in Europe where her cuts and patterns “are very much appreciated.” She counts Hollywood actor Nicole Kidman among her clients.
“I love designing western styles even though I know that doing anIndian bridal collection can earn you big money. I do what I am best at and my designs are well appreciated. I only use Indian fabric and motifs and this combination is what makes my collection different from others.”
In her new collection, she has used pure wool, velvet, tweed and silk in shades of charcoal grey, black, chocolate brown, burgundy, hot pink and electric purple to cut out long and short jackets to go with wide legged pants, flowing tunics and contemporary versions of the timeless kurta with exaggerated shoulder pads and special detailing on the sleeves. The detailing has been done with jewel hued embroidery and metallic embellishments using velvet patchwork and the traditional dabka and zari work in silver.
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The price of Preeti's outfits starts at Rs. 5,000 and goes up to 20,000.
States the designer, “I do clothes for everyone, the young and the old, the rich and the middle class, for office goers to the college girls. I have something for everyone but with different labels. I have another label, GFO which is very cheap and the range starts from Rs.400 and goes up to 1200.”