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Keeping abreast of time
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Rina Dhaka says survival in fashion is about retaining one’s individuality
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Photo: Anu Pushkarna
Dressing up the bride Fashion designer Rina Dhaka
Rina Dhaka is nostalgic – of the days gone by, when fashion designers worked as artists. “Frankly, it was fabulous then. The whole mantra of life was different,” Rina re-winds back 15 years, to the time she began her designing caree
r.
“Now it’s about bills and economics. If you do not succeed, you are no good,” says the designer who revolutionised Indian fashion with her bold outfits. But the veteran has managed to “re-invent” herself over the years.
“I always design myself. I never rely on assistants for it. Further, I am strong on cuts, so I keep creating new designs,” Rina reveals the mantra of staying afloat.
New opportunities
With events like Bridal Asia and fashion weeks, the opportunities have grown manifold for the designers, believes Rina, but the industry itself is in a fledgling state even now.
“Frankly, the industry is still very young. On the one hand there are the designers. Parallel to it is the modelling industry and also the fashion media. Over the years, a lot of support industries for fashion have come up,” explains Rina. The retail boom too has helped the industry, says the designer.
“Years ago, there was merely a shop in Hauz Khas village. Now there are bustling malls everywhere. There are buyers who are ready to put money on the table. Further, the market for branded goods has grown,” Rina takes us through the changing scenario.
As the fashion scene changes, Rina feels the onus is on the designers to find their strength. “There are two kinds of designers. There are those who can do both Indian and Western clothes and those who cannot. It is for each designer to find their edge,” she says. “Fashion is about your individuality. It is your uniqueness that matters,” says Rina. The woman who has been around for 15 years says planning has never really worked for her. “These five-year plans are not for me. Life has been hectic. It has been from season to season, order to delivery,” she says as she gears up for another round of order and delivery at Bridal Asia for now.
P. ANIMA
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