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Payal Khandwala talks on her love for fierce designs
The artist-turned-designer, who usually sports her own label, opens up about her love for individualistic designs.
As we walk into Payal Khandwala’s Napean Sea Road residence in Mumbai, she greets us wearing one of her own creations. While her accessories closet is brimming with all sorts of funky jewellery, her wardrobe contains fierce, but feminine, outfits.
My fashion sensibilities: “People tend to associate my designs with minimal-ism. Though, I like to keep things simple, I also prefer a certain amount of drama. I focus on colour and choose different silhouettes. I also like to mix and match. The idea is to put things together and create something that’s so specifically your own that no one else but you can do it.”
A strong feminine touch: “My clothes are not gender-neutral or androgynous. I like to celebrate being a woman when I dress up. So I use elements that are strong and don’t use fabrics that are too flowy. I like a bit of structure. The ‘princess hangover’ is not there. My designs are fierce, but feminine.”
All in the family: “My mother and my grandmother sewed and knitted. They have always been creative in such aspects. I used to do a lot of play-acting around the sewing machine as a kid. I don’t knit, but I sew my daughter’s clothes.”
Impulse buys: “I once saw a pair of shoes at Jimmy Choo. They happened to be on sale and we had some credit card points. I had a Carrie Bradshaw moment (from Sex And The City) where I felt I had to have them. And they are such diva shoes, totally not made for me. I came home and tried to walk in them; it was impossible.”
Vintage watches: “My husband is a watch enthusiast. He introduced me to watches three or four years ago. Until then, I never wore watches. He understands the mechanism; I don’t. But I love vintage watches now and have three that I bought online.”
Fashion faux pas: “When I was 14, I designed this horrendous outfit for my school’s farewell party. There was satin and net, it was tightly fitted, and had puffy sleeves. I was skinny, and it made me look skinnier. It was a massive disaster. The dress was black and I think that’s why I don’t wear black anymore.”
Love for silver: “I started collecting silver jewellery because it complements the clothes I wear. It’s hard to find actual old pieces these days. Now, they just take designs and try to make it look like they are old. Oxidised silver jewellery is not in-your-face, so you can never look overdressed. I pick up pieces from the silver markets whenever I go to Jaipur or Udaipur, or from an Amrapali store, or from the silver market in Colaba.”
(All photos by: Ritwik Ghosh)
Watch: How to get the perfect Bohemian look, Payal Khandwala tell you
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