Designer Spotlight: Two Sisters, One Passion

Pooja & Karuna, two sisters with one passion, are the co-founders and designers at Renee Label, based in Mumbai, and they joined the Kyra & Vir team in January 2017. They grew up as sisters sharing the same interest in the creative field, art, and clothes. Pooja got her fashion degree at L.S. Raheja, and Karuna studied fashion design at NIFT, in Bangalore.
They followed their passion, endured pressure and sleepless nights to create their dream business. They love what they do, and they are thankful for the opportunity to connect with women through creativity and fashion.
When Pooja and Karuna created Renee Label in 2013, they chose to focus on bridal wear because they loved the idea of creating the most important dress in the life of a woman. The brand now caters Indian Ready-to-wear clothing as well as bespoke couture, but bridal wear holds a sweet spot in the heart of these two designers. Pooja and Karuna want to create unique and timeless bridal wear which brides will cherish forever.
They find inspiration for their work from art movements, and they add their personal touch to colors and motifs. Local vendors and suppliers cater quality fabrics to them, but they look into the orders, and they are present at every step from creation to sourcing, production and quality check.
We asked Pooja and Karuna to share with us more about the emotional connection with their work and their customers. And also a couple of final tips for new designers.
K&V: Is there a special piece you’ve designed in the past that you still think about today?
P: We are emotionally attached to every piece we work on. However, some of the bridal outfits that we have done are very special. The best is yet to come, though!
K&V: How do you feel when you receive photos of clients wearing your work?
K: We appreciate any kind feedback. We don’t chase our clients for images or feedback, but their photos are a great reward and make us feel fulfilled and motivated.
K&V: What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned when it comes to being a designer and staying in business?
P: As a designer, you often forget the personal preferences and comfort of the client, which is key. Understanding your market demographics, preferences and price points is essential.
K&V: If there’s one piece of advice you can give to an aspiring designer, what would it be?
K: In the age of booming technology where we are over exposed through social media, clients are very well informed of what they want. Understanding their needs and delivering, while also keeping your design sensibilities and ethics intact, is key to establishing yourself amidst the saturating fashion industry.
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Originally published at kyraandvir.com on July 25, 2017.
