E-Paper
Karuna & Shradha Khaitan
Karuna Khaitan was born on the 10th of May, 1952 in Ranchi, India. She was always a creative child and started expressing herself through paintings at a very young age.
Karuna Khaitan was born on the 10th of May, 1952 in Ranchi, India. She was always a creative child and started expressing herself through paintings at a very young age. With the passing away of her "Guru" who taught her how to paint, Karuna felt lost and alone. She lost interest in art and got married. Couple of years after getting married, the creativity inside her was finding a way to express itself, which came out in the form of clothes.
In 1984, Karuna showcased her first collection of Indian Clothes in Kolkata. This was the launch of her brand called "Wild Orchid." Her sense of design was so appealing, that everything was sold out in the first two hours. Her secret: "She keeps in mind, the wearer and her lifestyle when she designs her clothes. The idea, she says stems from the fabric. "The fabric tells you what it is to be made into." While Karuna was making a name in the Indian segment of the market, creating masterpieces for her customers, there arose a young child who was as or more excited about clothes than her mom.
Shradha Khaitan was born on the 12th April 1974. Since a very young age, this petite little girl was always dressing up in the latest trends and was very fashion conscious. At the age of 10 she had already decided what she wanted to be. After finishing schooling from New Delhi, Karuna and Shradha decide to take a crash course at the London School of Fashion Studies. Upon there return, they launched their western wear line, which took Delhi by storm.
Karuna and Shradha were one of the first designers to really bring western fashion, and the "dare and bare look" to India. In conservative India, where every part of a woman's body was supposed to be clothed all the time, they came about with the simple yet inspiring idea of "Be a woman, be yourself." Their creations became the talk of the urban land. They became known for changing female attire for the better, making it softer, more comfortable, and more feminine.
Today they work from an isolated fannhouse in the avenue serenely tucked away in a remote suburb on the outskirts of Delhi. They have launched a dual line this season called Karuna & Shradha Khaitan. This line caters to women above the age of 18 in the high income group. They are present in most up-market boutiques in India (Oogan, Ffolio, Zenon..etc.). Their product kitty ranges from westem wear (camisoles, pants, jackets, shirts, tops, skirts, coats, and evening gowns), ethnic wear and a fusion line (knitwear suits, etc...).
Areas of Specialization and Philosophy of Work
We believe fashion must make people feel better. We must give them a reason to shop, Newness, a fresh point of view, a creative solution. After all, there has never been a greater need for well being as we continue to evolve amidst the stress, pollution and aggression of city living.
Winter 2003/4...the beginning of a whole new approach to clothing. We endeavor to reveal a new meaning for' fashions' place in our lives, putting things into perspective. "Wild Orchid" offers fashion with "real relevance" and a "sense of purpose."
The look at Wild Orchid is about comfort and ease. It is about being comfortable with yourself, about who you are and about what you wear. - clothes to feel comfortable in, unchallenging and comforting in their simplicity. "24hr clothing" has become the keyword at "Wild Orchid." Clothes to us is just an empty canvas, wherein the wearer herself provides the decoration through her personality and lifestyle giving her freedom to express her own singular individuality.
