Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
An eye for fashion
|
Passions Two young MBA graduates put their design skills together for a line of western designer wear called Shlok
|
GETTING EYEBALLS Our clothes are for the select few who dare to be clothed in our designs, say Alok and Shilpa
They are both MBA graduates and “best friends” who decided to give designing a shot. With lady luck smiling on them, there seems to be no stopping Alok Rao and Shilpa U.
Barely a few minutes with them and you notice that they are like twins. If one starts to say something, the other completes it.
They share the same passion not only for design but also for food and do everything together. “We’ve had no training in designing but do it out of sheer passion,” says Alok.
It was, however, not straight into designing after MBA. The smart youngsters took up a job at Shopper’s Stop as department managers, to get a first hand experience of what the market is all about.
The next step was to create a brand name called Shlok named after Alok and Shilpa. The designers then sustained themselves through various exhibitions in the city. “We’ve been here six months and our sales have crossed a lakh. That gave us the courage to start this boutique,” explains Alok.
The boutique, called Everyone’s Watching You, is barely a week old and caters only western wear.
There are short dresses, sleeveless ones with deep necks and those that line your silhouette to the perfect T. Something that a conventional Indian would think twice before getting into.
The clothes are very smart indeed and you would believe only women with oodles of confidence can carry them off. “That’s right, we are not catering to everyone here. These clothes are for the select few who would dare to be clothed in our designs,” says Shilpa, whose wardrobe too is loaded with plenty of dresses and skirts.
“The other reason we chose western wear is because it is unexplored and we have plenty to do here,” she adds.
The young designers enjoy working with raw silk, cottons and linens. The first collection on offer is the range inspired by pots and frames. “Raw silk is used extensively here for it has that earthy feel to it. The clothes too are made to resemble a pot. We have toned it down to look like an hourglass shape. We will also make clothes for men on order,” adds Alok.
With the clothes, one can also pick up jewellery and accessories like belts and bags.
“We pick up stuff we think will go with our clothes. To keep the exclusivity of our clothes, we will make our clothes available at a few select boutiques too,” they add.
The name of the store is so unusual, you say. And Shilpa is quick to add: “Well, if you walk out wearing our clothes every eye is sure to watch you!” Everyone’s Watching You is on Wood Street, and is open from 11 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. and can be contacted on 64506773/9886719712.
This column features those who choose to veer off the beaten track.
SHILPA SEBASTIAN R.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
