Desi Crunch

Meet a Fashion Designer from India.

[All images are original Komal Savaria's Designs]

I have known Komal Savaria since my high school days. She joined the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles for an Associate degree in fashion design in September 2005. Upon graduation she worked as an associate designer for Chan Luu designing contemporary women’s wear and accessories.

While working full time, Komal also freelanced for M…..The Movement an upcoming urban men’s wear brand which targets trendy and fashion conscious generation. She developed the technical package for the company’s overseas vendors that included designing, creating spec and cost sheet, trimming, fabric detailing and color-way options.

Komal started her fashion career upon completing her diploma in apparel manufacturing and design from the esteemed SNDT women’s university (PVP Juhu). She then went onto work a men’s wear designer for Charag Din Shirts, the largest shirt store in Asia and one of the biggest fashion houses in India.

I requested her to answer few questions.

Q1) Why fashion design?

Because it gives me an opportunity to challenge my creative side.

Q2) At what point of time in your life you decided to get into fashion career?

I have always been passionate about fashion and accessories and decided to make a career out of designing since high school.

Q3) Did you have some one to guide you personally to choose right school and subject for preserving fashion industry?

I did receive some help from friends on making a decision to move to the US. However, most of my research on choosing FIDM and my subjects was based on research done over the Internet and the academic advisors at FIDM

Q4) Has the education you received in the US been of any benefit?

Most of the work done in India is hand sketched. However, taking computer aided design classes at FIDM has given me confidence to compete at an international level.

Q5) I have an impression that people who work in fashion world are all very bold, extrovert, and hyped people. Do you have to say anything?

Perception of people working in the fashion industry is relative from person to person. You could say the same about the entertainment industry, but we all know it is not true for everyone.

Q6) As far as I understand there are no fix rules in fashion world i.e anything you do, people will think its some fashion feature. Do you think I am right?

I think that is an inaccurate statement. Every industry has it do’s and don’t and I think the fashion industry is no different. However, there are no bounds to creativity, something creative to one person may seem to be ordinary to another.

Q7) I am planning to marry a girl in India and she has done some diploma course in fashion technology. What can she do after coming in USA to sustain her career interest?

A diploma in fashion technology from India will not be valid in the US. It is advisable to do a diploma/degree from the US to sustain her fashion interests.

Q8) If you are given option to go back in your past and change 3 things what it would be?

None.

Q9) In India we have B.E (Bachelor of Engineering) in chemicals/computers/electronics/Civil. Why dont we have B.E in Fashion?

Institutes like NIFT do offer undergraduate and post graduate courses in fashion. You can also major in courses like fashion marketing, textile designing, fashion styling, etc.

Q10) What will you do if you are given 1 million dollars?

Of course, take it!!!!!

Q11) If a fashion Designer (Girl) marries a boy who is very simple at dressing, what will be consequences?

It a good opportunity to use her husband as testing ground. Se can dress him the way she wants.

Q12) Will you advice you younger brother and sisters to get into fashion career?

Definitely, it is a good career. However, it is not a glamorous s it seems on television. There is a lot of hard work involved.

Q13) Which is the most fashionable city in USA (NY, SF, LA???) and why do you think so?

Each city has its own unique fashion sense. NY is more classy, LA is very glamorous (certain sector) rest very bohemian urban street wear , SF is contemporary.

Q14) Who is most fashinable Hero and heroine in Bollywood and hollywood?

Bollywood: Shobha De, Shabana Azmi, Sushmita Sen, Amitabh Bachan,
Holllywood: Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jenifer Aniston, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Nichole Kidman

Q15) If I wear very formal clothes with sports shoes. Do you think it is wrong?

It depends on what you do. That would definitely be a fashion statement if you are a hip hop artist, but not work if you are an investment banker.

Q16) I have seen many boutiques in India. These shops belong to some famous designers. Is everything inside these shops very costly? Is it worth to ever buy anything from there?

If u can afford it why not? Most of the big designers think of their designs as work of art ad believe that they are selling their art, hence the high price tag.



Q17) Trends for the following season? Spring/Summer 2007

70’s retro glamour is back !!! Vintage prints in Bright colors teamed with high waist pants with flare bottoms….. Even higher hemlines & heels. Printed summer dresses…….wild animal print accessories !!!

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