"My look is very young, even the couture clothing. Sexy, yet as a designer, I am a classicist. I love wearing sarongs, the kibaya, kimono, wraps — I am very drawn to costume. My job as a designer is to make it cutting edge and present it in a very sexy, wearable way. I do not design old, mummy saris — they are patch worked with leather, embellished with feathers, the traditional kantha craft is made modern. We try to make the sari fresh, young, sensual. Even if I am showing flesh, I want to show it aesthetically. In-your-face, out-there, is just not cool anymore. I am a woman and I respect another woman’s body."

Muse? I like real women with a lot of character. Imperfect, to me, is quite beautiful. I love a woman tussling with a weight issue, a time issue, for me, real is attractive. My best friend has the longest nose but she makes it work for her — she is beautiful.

Inspiration? I love costumes, textiles, books, the smell of a bookshop, folk art, tribal motifs, nature. I become like a sponge when I travel. I am inspired by traditional kantha craft, the tree of life motif, William Morris wallpaper from

the ’40s, the Alhambra print and Moghul prints — all of which find their way on my saris.

Mumbai, Delhi? Mumbai is more experimental, more playful. Delhi likes more classical things. Mumbai wants the Jamewar but on metallic stretch fabric while Delhi wants an heirloom. In Delhi, you can go crazy with colour while Mumbai likes its whites and blacks. Delhi is very politically correct, in Mumbai people say what they think.

Kavita Bhartia (Kavita Bhartia and Ogaan)

Layered skirts in varying textures, contrasting kurti tops, saris in unusual combinations of colours and textures.