Dilnaz Karbhary was 13 when she decided to pursue fashion as a career. Nearly 25 years later,she awaits the release of the film Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi in which she has designed all the looks for lead actor Farah Khan. Its been three years since I launched my label. To have been able to take on such a challenging assignment is a big high in itself, says the 38-year-old. She thanks her Parsi roots and Khans faith in her design abilities for having bagged the project. Karbhary has also designed clothes for Khan in her TV show Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega. Khan was impressed and recommended Karbhary for Shirin Farhad. Given the fact that I was designing for the character of a 42-year-old Parsi woman,and I hadnt really lived in a Parsi colony,I had to do a fair amount of research. I did the rounds of Parsi baugs and also raided the wardrobes of a few relatives,apart from referring to books online and poring over old Parsi magazines, she says. Then followed a period of sketching,scouting for fabric,trials and fittings,after which the look for Shirin,Khans character,was born. I have worked with fabrics such as lycra,silk and georgette. Also,I have done gara embroidery on knits,which is quite popular among Parsis. For instance,theres a three-fourth sleeve cardigan with gara work that is paired with a matching blouse and a slightly flared skirt, she says. What sets Karbhary apart from the current crop of designers is her lack of a fashion degree. But,she has been a part of the the staff of designer Tarun Tahilianis sister Tinas store,Ensemble. By 2009,Karbhary had risen to the position of head of couture and womens wear at Tahilianis design studio. She quit the job that year to start her own label. Whatever I am today,I owe it to Tarun Tahiliani, she says.
