Opening Doorz

By Aarian Parikh | Opening Doorz Editorial | March 19, 2018

‘Karishma Trehan’ is one label that has been adorned by some of the big names in the city. Having worked with the well-known, haute couture boutique ‘Kimaya’, alongside other top fashion designers, the dynamic Karishma Trehan has since branched out with her own label, which sports spirited designs and cuts making the wearer stand out. Her styles have bedecked clientele like Bharti Mittal, the Kapoor Sisters (Karishma and Kareena) and Rima Kapoor Jain, among others.

Karishma believes in an eclectic range, amalgamating traditional and modern approaches which culminate in dazzling designs and creations. Being a veteran in the industry, her senses have sharpened and is in tune with the ‘fashion trend’ of the moment and delivers her label on time to her fashion conscious clientele who are always looking to stand out, without burning a hole into their pocket.

“Those days of investing in a particular garb which would probably make a hole in your pocket to make you look like a million bucks is not what every woman is looking for, unless it’s your very own nuptial,” reveals the Mumbai-based designer, who understands the ‘requirement’ of the moment without compromising on quality.

Opening Doorz caught up with the designer whose Luxury Resort Wear Collection along with her Contemporary Indian Cocktail Wear have caught the fancy of the fashion conscious.

The early years…
Karishma started her career as a buyer for a fashion house, catering mostly to film stars. She later launched her own label ‘Karishma Trehan’ and housed her garments at one of the best retail stores. Later, she expanded displaying her creations in other cities as well. She has been in the trade of fashion, films, styling and designing for over a decade now, and retails most of her products at her studio in Bandra, save a few Limited Edition series which are sold exclusively at trunk shows.

The challenges…
Karishma did not face many challenges when she started off as she was already a known name having bagged a prestigious Fashion Award early on. People in the business were aware of her work and she was much sought-after in the fashion and retail industry. Karishma has also styled for many Bollywood films but since time was an issue, she decided to focus more on her individual clientele.

The style diva…
However complex the request of a client, Karishma is always up for a challenge. Her keen eye for current trends is what makes her the most sought-after designer. In this fast-paced scenario where over 60 percent of the women are working and don’t have much time to mull over their looks, and want something that doesn’t confuse them and at the same time desire a simple look which can be put together quickly, is where her label scores. Karishma incorporates the latest trends like different sleeves, fabrics and silhouettes to make her client look very ‘With the season’ depending on the country one is in.

Karishma Trehan’s personal style preferences…
Karishma keeps in mind the forecast trend for the next season whilst designing any of her collections. She prefers Indian wear but contemporary embroidery with sharp silhouettes is what her forte is in resort wear/western clothing. This has been exemplified by the bold looks she designed for the Kapoor sisters during Karva Chauth way back in 2014, which was the talking point in the fashion industry that season. Karishma caters to all who have a flair and interest in enhancing their fashion quotient and revamping their looks.

Working in the fashion industry…
Like any other industry, the fashion industry too is tough to break in. However, if one has some sort of influence or has worked out of a fashion school, life becomes easier. Having said that, Karishma believes that it not as easy or glamorous as it looks from the outside! “It’s a laborious job and you are expected to constantly work to be accepted,” she says.

Signing off…
“I think this is the best time in fashion because Indian designers are being recognized and appreciated the world over. Moreover, women are less conservative than before and are looking for something new all the time. So it’s an exciting collaboration,” signs off Karishma Trehan.

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