An Indian fashion-designer and a recipient of one of the most prestigious awards, RC Dalal Memorial Award, Bani Pasricha is known for creating most unique fashion designs by taking inspiration mostly from the culture of place travelled by her or elementals of nature. In an interview with Kiran Sahija, the designer reveals about her childhood dreams and shares her experience of participating in both national and international fashion shows.
Fibre2Fashion: What career did you want to pursue in your childhood, and what are your hobbies?
Bani Pasricha:
I dreamt of being an astronaut during my childhood days. Reading about the universe fascinated me. I was growing up when Kalpana Chawla became the first Indian woman to go to space. But then, destiny had something else in store for me. I found my calling in the world of fashion, and there has been no looking back ever since.
Fibre2Fashion: Tell me something about yourself that people don’t know?
Bani Pasricha:
I am extremely introvert and love spending time alone. Despite working in a fashion industry that involves interacting with many people and attending social events, I’m not particularly eager to party a lot.
Fibre2Fashion: How do you keep the balance between work and personal life?
Bani Pasricha:
Fortunately, runway shows go by season. I give my best while curating a collection and showcasing it on a runway during fashion weeks. After that, I take a break and travel with family and friends. Travelling helps me explore new cultures and connect with new people, which also serves as an inspiration for my subsequent collections.
Fibre2Fashion: What creative nutrition do you feed yourself for the inspiration of your collection, and what are your aesthetics?
Bani Pasricha:
My collections exemplify a fine blend of contemporary design and vintage elements to cater to modern Indian women. Most of my themes revolve around the beauty and power of womanhood. I love travelling, wherein comes most of my inspiration for upcoming collections. Exploring different places and interacting with several people helps generate ideas for my following collection. For instance, my signature collection- The Pharaohs, portrayed the grandeur of the Egyptian mythological and historical traditions- Egyptian monarchs and their goddesses Wadjet and Nekhbet at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week.
Fibre2Fashion: How was the experience when you launched your first collection?
Bani Pasricha:
Launching the first collection was a dream come true for me. The India Beach Fashion WEEK provided me with a platform to showcase my creativity and began my fabulous journey into a world of fashion. Not only that, receiving accolades for the inaugural event was a huge achievement.
Fibre2Fashion: What is the signature style of your collection, and what struggles have you faced with staying in trends yet maintain the signature style?
Bani Pasricha:
At Bani Couture, we are trendsetters instead of trend followers. For me, Fashion is not just about following trends. Fashion is all about what makes you comfortable as it is a reflection of your personality. Every individual is unique, and what suits me may not suit the other. So, set your own style statement, wear what suits you and makes you comfortable. Having said that, never shy from experimenting with new looks because the quirky style statement will make you stand out from the crowd.
Fibre2Fashion: Which country buyers do you attract the most?
Bani Pasricha:
India, Europe, especially the UK, and the Middle East are key markets for my creations. Here, people live by fashion and keep an eye on the latest trends. Since I specialize in fusion wear, my collection finds clientele both in India and abroad.
Fibre2Fashion: How do you select the materials you use?
Bani Pasricha:
The fashion industry is among the top contributors to pollution worldwide. According to an estimate, textile dyeing alone accounts for 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse emissions annually. These days, synthetic fibers such as polyesters, widely used by designers today, account for 2 to 3 times higher carbon emissions than cotton.
Fibre2Fashion: What do you find most exciting and, conversely, most challenging while participating in a fashion show or fashion week?
Bani Pasricha:
Fashion shows allow me to utilize my full creativity and showcase my talent on a global platform. It is indeed motivating to get recognized and lauded by fashion enthusiasts from across the world. However, we get only a few minutes to display our months of hard work and creativity. These moments are very crucial as they can make or break a brand. Moreover, there is always an apprehension regarding the response we will receive from buying houses and our clientele while launching the new collection.
Fibre2Fashion: How would you differentiate the experience of Indian fashion shows from the international ones?
Bani Pasricha:
Both have their own charm. Indian fashion represents its rich cultural diversity and tradition. It is heartening to see Indian ethnic wear being acclaimed globally. The international exposure to the Indian fashion designers has inspired them to use cutting-edge technology, innovation and creativity. The fusion wear born out of marrying Indian and Western wear has become a sought-after collection for contemporary Indian women.
Fibre2Fashion: Who are your favorite designers?
Bani Pasricha:
I am inspired by Karl Lagerfeld and Coco Chanel. Both are truly legends who have set a benchmark in the world of fashion. Back home in India, I admire Shantanu &Nikhil and Rocky S for their creativity.
Fibre2Fashion: What milestones are you planning to achieve, and what are your forthcoming plans for your label?
Bani Pasricha:
This year, I intend to focus more on international runways to expand my global customer base. I am also planning to come up with another new collection. Stay tuned.
