Made in Mauritius

In 2001 when Lida O8217;Reilly launched her first boutique, it was only to give shape to a childhood dream. 8220;I began in a small garage room with just three people to help me,8221; says O8217;Reilly, now one of Mauritius8217; most prominent designers.

Mauritian designer Lida O8217;Reilly is gearing up for a long innings in India

In 2001 when Lida O8217;Reilly launched her first boutique, it was only to give shape to a childhood dream. 8220;I began in a small garage room with just three people to help me,8221; says O8217;Reilly, now one of Mauritius8217; most prominent designers.

The small annexe shop has now expanded into five boutiques spread across the island, and the designer is also ready with her sixth 8212; this time a haute couture label at Curepipe, situated in the heart of the island. She has expanded into accessories, crafting beautiful jewellery with Swarovski crystals and shoes and bags embedded with semi precious stones. Now, India bound, she will launch her spring summer haute couture collection in Delhi.nbsp;O8217;Reilly is busy putting finishing touches to the 24 ensembles, mostly evening gowns 8212; gossamer visions in lycra, raw silk and chiffon, in colours like prunes, reds and blacks, some of which, she tells you, required over 300 hours of intense work.

Of Indian origin, the 40-year-old has been a frequent visitor to the country, even doing stray assignments for pageants and events, dressing up beauty queens like Sarah Jane Dias, Puja Chitgopekar, Parvathy Omanakuttan and Radha Bramhabhatt for their international pageant appearances. 8220;But I dream of designing for someone like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,8221; she smiles. 8220;I would love to retail from here. Having this Indian dimension is not only beneficial for my work, but also for my inner self, from where I draw my strength and inspiration,8221; she adds.

Now that the business has taken off, there are other plans to take her brand forward. She has been busy doing the uniforms of five star hotels in Mauritius, but there8217;s plenty more on her platter. O8217;Reilly, who is known for her sartorial statements in designer gowns, already has a thriving market back home, with European tourists coming back to her not just for beach and casual wear but even for wedding gowns. 8220;In Mauritius, more and more people are becoming aware of fashion. We are influenced by Bollywood trends, but the West influences us too,8221; she says. Which is why, she is now looking to venture into international fairs and fashion weeks. 8220;I plan to do the Paris Fashion Week and the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai soon,8221; she says. Bon voyage.

Paromita Chakrabarti

Paromita Chakrabarti is Senior Associate Editor at the The Indian Express. She is a key member of the National Editorial and Opinion desk and writes on books and literature, gender discourse, workplace policies and contemporary socio-cultural trends. Professional Profile With a career spanning over 20 years, her work is characterized by a "deep culture" approach—examining how literature, gender, and social policy intersect with contemporary life. Specialization: Books and publishing, gender discourse (specifically workplace dynamics), and modern socio-cultural trends. Editorial Role: She curates the literary coverage for the paper, overseeing reviews, author profiles, and long-form features on global literary awards. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent writing highlights a blend of literary expertise and sharp social commentary: 1. Literary Coverage & Nobel/Booker Awards "2025 Nobel Prize in Literature | Hungarian master of apocalypse" (Oct 10, 2025): An in-depth analysis of László Krasznahorkai’s win, exploring his themes of despair and grace. "Everything you need to know about the Booker Prize 2025" (Nov 10, 2025): A comprehensive guide to the history and top contenders of the year. "Katie Kitamura's Audition turns life into a stage" (Nov 8, 2025): A review of the novel’s exploration of self-recognition and performance. 2. Gender & Workplace Policy "Karnataka’s menstrual leave policy: The problem isn’t periods. It’s that workplaces are built for men" (Oct 13, 2025): A viral opinion piece arguing that modern workplace patterns are calibrated to male biology, making women's rights feel like "concessions." "Best of Both Sides: For women’s cricket, it’s 1978, not 1983" (Nov 7, 2025): A piece on how the yardstick of men's cricket cannot accurately measure the revolution in the women's game. 3. Social Trends & Childhood Crisis "The kids are not alright: An unprecedented crisis is brewing in schools and homes" (Nov 23, 2025): Writing as the Opinions Editor, she analyzed how rising competition and digital overload are overwhelming children. 4. Author Interviews & Profiles "Fame is another kind of loneliness: Kiran Desai on her Booker-shortlisted novel" (Sept 23, 2025): An interview regarding The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. "Once you’ve had a rocky and unsafe childhood, you can’t trust safety: Arundhati Roy" (Aug 30, 2025): A profile on Roy’s recent reflections on personal and political violence. Signature Beats Gender Lens: She frequently critiques the "borrowed terms" on which women navigate pregnancy, menstruation, and caregiving in the corporate world. Book Reviews: Her reviews often draw parallels between literature and other media, such as comparing Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune to the series Only Murders in the Building (Oct 25, 2025). ... Read More