Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) After creating stylish clothes, designer Malini Ramani, who has recently introduced footwear styles in collaboration with a leading brand, is ready to step into the interiors business. She says it is like a dream come true.

“I am busy doing a lot of new and interesting things. One of my big dreams has been to get into interiors. It is finally coming true and I am opening a big lifestyle and interior store called Dreamscape in Goa next month. I can promise you that it’s going to be very dreamy and fantasy-like,” Ramani told IANS.

The designer, who first launched her clothing collection “Rockstar Meets Indian Princess” in 2000, is known for her East meets West-inspired designs.

If the interiors business is new for her, so is the collaboration with footwear brand Bata India. She has created wedge-heeled kolhapuri-style footwear for the brand and says it was just fate that brought her this offer.

“It was actually fate! I had met Mr.Thomas Bata at a party in Phuket exactly a year ago and we exchanged business cards. When I got back to Delhi, I wrote to him and he asked me to put together a presentation, which I did and the rest, as they say, is history!” she said.

As a designer, Ramani’s philosophy is simple. She only creates clothes she would love to wear herself. She likes working with vibrant colours, plunging necklines, and believes in adding dollops of glamour to her creations.

“Fashion for women needs to be feminine and flirty and with a high dose of audaciousness and aestheticism; our clothes makes it all the more powerful. So whether you’re skiing in Gstaad in Swiss Alps, sunning in St.Barts or just desirous of looking undeniably chic, a Malini Ramani piece is always the perfect fit,” said the designer.

Currently, she retails from her outlet in Mumbai, Monte Carlo, Dubai, Beirut and Moscow. Her creations are a hot favorite amongst celebrities like Ekta Kapoor, Koel Purie, Sameera Reddy and Pooja Bedi.

The designer considers fashion as her passion and credits the industry for her achievements.

“Indian fashion weeks gave me the recognition as a designer and I have respect for it. The platform got us our best orders and helped us in building our brands. I would say that designing, which was earlier my hobby, has transformed into my business,” she explained.

She also has a piece of advice for aspirants in the fashion world.

“I want to suggest to people: follow your heart and don’t try to be anybody else or you will not be able to create your own style. Also, don’t give up! It’s a long and hard journey, but full of rewards,” she added.

Asked about her plans of styling for any movie project in future, she said: “I have been busy designing lots of exclusive glittery party clothes for my Goa shop, I was busy shooting an ad-film and setting up Dreamscape…so all this has kept me busy so far,” Ramani said.

(Nivedita Sharma can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)