Meet the Judges of Masala! Awards 2015: Ayesha Depala

Some of the most glamorous women in showbiz – from Aishwarya Rai and Sonam to Malaika Arora Khan and Kajol – have worn her designs. Top fashion pundits have applauded her style. She is one of the leading names to have emerged in the field of fashion design from the Middle East and India, having won awards and accolades galore at different platforms over the years. Yet, Ayesha Depala remains remarkably unaffected by the hoopla that surrounds her profile. Perhaps it was because she knew she was meant to be a designer all along, her sensibilities being firmly rooted in the traditional crafts and arts of India. Born in Kashmir, to parents in the textile industry, Ayesha studied both Textile and Fashion Design at New Delhi. Soon she opened her first boutique in India, New Delhi, at the prestigious Ambawata Centre and then the second, at the Village Mall in Dubai, UAE. It wasn’t long before some of the most high-profile fashion forward women in the region and beyond, proudly started sporting her elegant gowns, dresses and bridal wear. A true woman of substance, it’s a pleasure to have her as one of the jury members of the forthcoming Masala! Awards...

What led you to a career in fashion design?

I was raised in a family with textile heritage. My father is a textile engineer and my mother is a textile designer by trade, so it was a natural careerpath for me as I was inevitably surrounded by fabrics and design. I was drawn to art and design in its entirety at a very young age. My father worked with DU Pond and I grew up surrounded by lace swatches. Perhaps this might explain my never-ending love story with lace! The absence of luxurious ready-to-wear in India at the time somewhat led to a level of frustration that ended up in me starting my ready-to-wear line.

What was the fashion scene like initially, when you started your career as a designer?

In India design, art, craft and textiles are an age-old concept. We, as a nation, are highly skilled where craft is concerned. But the whole concept of fashion design and construction is a relatively new concept in India. Back then, there were no independent stores or shopping malls. Indian designer boutiques had just started to emerge but there was huge gap for the western ready-to-wear market. The fashion scene was only just at the brink of emergence.

What kind of woman does your label cater to?

The Ayesha Depala woman is feminine and fashion forward with an old fashioned soul. She is able to make her presence known and felt without making a desperate attempt at it. She appreciates luxury and in is in tune with her culture and heritage. She is able to look refined and street in equal measure all the time.

How would you describe the current fashion scene in the region is it a promising profession for aspiring young designers?

Fortuitously, the world’s love affair with Dubai is blossoming and the region has firmly placed it mark on the world’s fashion map. Dubai is a varied cultural mix and UAE’s citizens have a voracious appetite for fashion and luxury goods. The fashion scene in the city has evolved and come into its own. However, as with any other profession, this one is no different in that it requires part skill and part business acumen, to succeed. Design is a small part of this industry and business is entirely different. Young girls are often lured by the glamour and lack business acumen or finances to make their labels sustainable and at time, scalable.

You’ve dressed some of the most beautiful women in Bollywood. Can you tell us a little about your experience designing for the stars?

I have always enjoyed my work and I continue to do so. For me, dressing my everyday clients or brides is equally exciting as dressing a Bollywood celebrity. I was fortunate enough that my work was loved by most women. In fact, when pieces are requested for trials they end up being taken. But among celebrities, I definitely enjoyed dressing Madhuri Dixit as I loved her as a little girl!

What inspires you as a designer?

I am inspired by mundane things such as the street and its simplicity as well as Indian arts, crafts and architecture. Kashmir and its textile and design also deeply inspire me. Watching people in Paris right outside the Fashion Tents has to be one of the most amazing sights as well. All these get integrated into my designs.

Is there any one ensemble that you truly enjoyed designing?

There have been quite a few. But I dressed a member of the regional royal family recently for her wedding. We were very pressed for time and she required a three metre fully beaded train with handmade flowers. This dress was one of the most complex and time-consuming outfits I ever did but possibly I ended up loving the most too!

What’s your fashion forecast for the months ahead?

As a brand, we don’t follow trends nor do we purchase forecast books. I work with my own personal instinct. For 2016, we will see a huge emphasis on utilitarian outerwear, stronger/tougher fabrics and layering.

What do you hope to expect from the Masala! Awards this year?

The Masala! Awards have gone from strength to strength in not only honouring regional triumphs but in celebrating events with immense style and grandeur. I am honoured to be a part of this year’s celebration and am looking forward to a fun-filled evening.