01/11/2012
www.stylekandy.com just spoke about La CANVAS
read it here !! (http://www.stylekandy.com/frmTabloid.aspx?stid=9311&stmode=nothing)
"DESIGNER BAZAAR"
A designer with a label, a stylist with some shows to her credit and someone responsible for pooling creative talent; these aren’t different people but it’s one person who does things differently. Urvee Adhikari Vyas has pursued her dream of designing and making people look good. After the success of her summer exhibition that the city witnessed just a couple of months ago, she’s back with another one which is bigger and better. The La Canvas exhibition which is happening on the 2nd of November at Sea Princess, Juhu in Mumbai has names like Aarti Vijay Gupta, KawaljIt Singh, Vaishali S and many other noted designers. Also, students from INIFD, Bandra will exclusively showcase a collection.
Without any more delay, we take you straight to the chat we had with the designer who shared a lot with us:
Tell us about your journey towards becoming a designer?
Though I studied fashion in college, I moved into production in order to help my father for various shows on SAB TV. However, I wasn’t too happy there because something more creative has always been my calling and I couldn’t ignore it. There onwards, I began designing and styling for a couple of odd shows before I started retailing my brand under the name ‘UA’ in 2005 and it has been a good seven years now when I look back. I wouldn’t have had it any other way!
What’s the whole idea behind setting up exhibitions?
In order to personally grow a little more in the industry, I decided to go a step further and create a platform for upcoming and talented designers to showcase their work. This I did so by setting up exhibitions and getting people to support my initiative. Firstly, the focus here is pure design; raw talent which when coupled with affordability goes a long way in determining the success rate. My last exhibition was about six months ago in May and it saw a great turnout and has encouraged me a great deal to continue setting up many more of such exhibitions.
What can we look forward to from the upcoming La Canvas exhibition?
Most exhibitions that happen around the city aren’t designer oriented, it’s a bunch of people who just want to make a living desperately. However, Canvas Bazaar is more about the experience of feeling a fabric, interacting with the designer and taking home something you truly love. This time, I’ve taken affordability and design as the two prime factors because I realize that everyone aspires for a Manish Malhotra but cannot afford it. So, my exhibition makes sure that only wearable items are retailed at a justified price. This year I have roped fashion design students, Shruti Chopra, a tarot card reader and also a photo booth so that people have a good time while making their purchases.
If you were to pick a celebrity who’s always well dressed and someone who could use a stylist, who would they be?
Without a doubt Sonam Kapoor! She’s someone who I look forward to seeing at events, in magazines because of how well dressed she is. Even Kangna Ranaut has a fine sense of style which is trendy, classy and also edgy. Asin could completely get herself a brand new stylist. The way she shows up at public appearances makes me cringe sometimes!
What’s your personal style like? Does it reflect in your designer collection?
The word that completely describes what I am and what I wear is ‘comfortable’. I’m open to experimenting with outfits, designer labels and trends only as long as I’m comfortable in them. I won’t go the extra mile of feeling uncomfortable just for the sake of sporting a trend because it’s not worth it. One mustn’t ape someone else’s style because having a sense of fashion is reflective of showing off your personality. I love dressing up and you’d find me wearing chunky accessories like statement neckpieces and hair accessories a lot.
I love being versatile and I create outfits which are a 100% wearable. I’m not one of those designers who designs plastic outfits making them look artistic. I do what I can end up wearing and real women like me would like to see themselves in.
Apart from designing and styling, what can one see you doing in your spare time?
I love sleeping and catch up on it whenever I can! Also, I’m a complete spa girl and never miss a chance to try what the city offers. Even during my travels I ensure that the hotel I’m checking into has a spa! It’s my way of relaxing and unwinding.
What are your plans for the future?
With the kind of response that my exhibition has been generating, I’m looking at expanding that a little more. I want to take it abroad, add a few more names and probably even international designers. I want to create a platform which brings Indian and international designers together so that the buyers get a multitude of choices. Also, this would mean we can add international buyers to the list who can experience what Indian designers can offer. We Indians are increasingly becoming worldly-wise and extremely trend conscious. Hence, the future looks great in terms of fashion retailing.
