Plainly speaking

Tell Priyadarshini Rao that her designs are considered cerebral,and she laughs. Thats very flattering, she says,pausing in between sips of tea,I never really thought of my style in that way.

Tell Priyadarshini Rao that her designs are considered cerebral,and she laughs. Thats very flattering, she says,pausing in between sips of tea,I never really thought of my style in that way. Its just that I approach designing in a different way. For me, the fabric and the cut and stitching is more important than surface embellishments. But its nice to hear these compliments. Her design philosophy clearly reflects in her life as well.

For this meeting at the Palladium in Lower Parel,shes dressed simply in a white shirt and jeans and carries a practical sling bag,and when she talks,its without the usual circumlocution one sees in the fashion circuit. Theres a refreshing candidness when she reveals her impatience with the mandatory page three circuiting and celebrity courting that most designers resort to in order to gain visibility. As we park ourselves for lunch at Indigo Deli,she reveals,My work is limited to making the clothes, says the designer,Parties are exhausting and Im happy if a celebrity appreciates my clothing and buys some. But Im not here to run after them.

Still,her calander has been quite full. Shes just launched a festive collection at the Bandra boutique Zoya,something she does every year. I am committed to produce one festive collection every year exclusively for them. I enjoy doing it because they understand where my designs are coming from, she explains. That means,no blingy garments with a swarowski overdose. Just classy cuts and beautiful fabrics,says the 40-year-old,whos also getting set to open Mineral,a pret-wear store,along with her husband Jaydeep Shetty. Ill be designing and hell be managing the administrative side. Hopefully,it will open early next year, she says. The clothes will retain the signature Priyadarshini Rao look understated,with a strong emphasis on earthen tones and Indian fabrics.

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Rao is also preparing to show at the upcoming Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in Delhi,on October 26. Her collection for the Delhi fashion week is inspired by the whirling dervishes of Turkey. My imagination was fired by their big,voluminous skirts which swell out around them as they whirl, she says about the Sufi mystics. There will be a lot of crinkly fabrics in colours ranging from ecru to slate grey to deep blue and coffee brown in natural dyes. Its going to be a highly wearable collection and distinctly non-Indian looking,although Ill be using Indian techniques. Itll have that lovely vinatge,lived-in feel.

Shes got the coveted evening slot of 7 pm,reserved for designers who draw a big crowd. She,however,scratches her chin while weighing the slots merits and demerits. Im in two minds actually,because during the day,even though fewer people show up,you know theyre there because they mean business and they really are interested in fashion, she muses. This business-like approach is partly what led to her no longer showing in Mumbais fashion week. A lot more business happens in Delhi, she states. And no showstoppers for her either. Id rather that people look at my clothes,instead of going gaga over celebrities on the ramp.

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Lower Parel

Plainly speaking

Tell Priyadarshini Rao that her designs are considered cerebral,and she laughs. Thats very flattering, she says,pausing in between sips of tea,I never really thought of my style in that way.

Tell Priyadarshini Rao that her designs are considered cerebral,and she laughs. Thats very flattering, she says,pausing in between sips of tea,I never really thought of my style in that way.