Payal Singhal is an Indian Designer whose whimsical work we find hard to resist. It's hard not to get swept away with awe when you see her bohemian looking lehengas, dresses and east-meets-west, patterned packed designs. Read on to find out what inspires her coveted work.
Payal Singhal is a brand that most of us know. But what made you want to gift us with your designs?
I grew up in a family of artists. My grandfather JP Singhal was a renowned artist, painter and photographer. My father Dinesh Singhal owned India’s first fashion chain called London Fashions. At an early age, I was surrounded by fashion, films and art. So I was inclined towards design. I started my career as a stylist at MTV when I was 21-years-old and soon realized that I am more of a designer than a stylist. My desire to create more than putting things together led to launching my label Payal Singhal.
What’s your most memorable fashion moment?
When I was only 15 and won the Designer of the Year Award by Shopper’s Stop. The look I created was worn by Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
What’s the process for creating a Payal Singhal outfit? How long does it take?
It generally depends on the style and embroidery. Our process usually starts understanding the client’s requirements and then building a sketch and working on the embroidery swatches. Once all the details finalize there’s also dyeing, stitching and finishing. The whole process takes around six to 12 weeks.
Your designs are so eclectic and bohemian, where do you get your inspiration?
Inspirations vary. I’m a history, art and culture nerd. A lot of my inspiration comes from my travels. I am also inspired by the idea of east-meets-west, reflecting this in my designs. Nostalgia is also a underlying element across all my collection. The women wearing my label are individualistic, bohemian and fashion-forward. She has a distinct sense of style and is confident of her choices.
Tell me about the artisans who create you work?
Our artisans are the backbone of the label. We have a team of talented embroiderers and tailors that have been with us for a long time now. They have a deep understanding of different techniques and they work hard to put our vision into reality.
The fashion industry as a whole is changing. What do you see as the future of fashion? In what ways do you think fashion needs to change?
The recent times have shown us that it is important for everyone to take a pause and reflect. Going forward the fashion industry needs to adapt to the environment and its needs. Designers are going to focus outfits that the customers can wear multiple times. The sales channels are going to change with more focus shifting to online platforms.
What do you think Indian brides today are looking for?
