RUCHI MEHTA, 32, fashion designer
Buzz: Sensuous silhouettes with surefire feminine appeal
Make it mantra: Adversity inspires
Each time Ruchi Mehta is down and out, adversity motivates her to work harder, move faster and achieve much more than what she is striving for. This quest for the unattainable and constant experimentation with fabrics and textures sets her apart from her contemporaries. The National Institute of Design alumnus, who shot to fame with her own label ‘Salt’ in 2003, showed her fun, flirty range in the ‘Emerging Designers’ category at the Lakmé Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2008.

Textured fabrics and well-cut designs are the major highlights of her feminine and subtly sexy creations. “Every time I create an outfit, it brings me closer to understanding the mind and body of the buyer. I like to think of my style as something that transcends cultural differences,” says the enterprising designer, whose ensembles and eclectic range of handbags, accessories and belts are supplied to Indian and international boutiques.

Though Ruchi counts creativity and persistence as the core qualities of a successful fashion designer, she exclaims that overcoming her complacency has been her biggest challenge. The couturier, who claims to be utterly impressionable, wants to create exquisite outfits in 2008 and nurtures a desire to design costumes for a sci-fi film.

NIMITA RATHOD, 27, fashion designer
Buzz: Wearable sophistication
Make it mantra: Follow your instincts
Flash bulbs and silk gowns surround Nimita Rathod when she does a perfunctory walk on the ramp after her shows now. Yet, this maverick designer remembers that it wasn’t so long ago that fashion wasn’t even a feasible option. The closest to it was a graduate degree in textile design and she dived headlong into it. Her artistic aptitude presented itself very early on though; “I always knew that I wanted to do something creative, I drew portraits of friends and teachers during classes and at home, I ripped apart my grandparents’ vintage clothes to make outfits for my sister and myself.” Her persistence paid off when she got a scholarship to study at Domus Academy in Milan. This also gave her the impetus she needed to enter Lakmé Fashion Week as soon as she returned.

Sabyasachi’s ingénue has found much acclaim for herself with her recent ‘Past Forward’ line-up that was showcased at LIFW spring - summer collection for 2008. She acknowledges that her greatest influences have been Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Sir John Rocha and it’s this receptiveness that has helped her succeed. “I have always been a good observer and a great listener. I follow my instincts and am very passionate about my work. I think it’s important to let my work speak for itself.” Nimita plays with natural fabrics, rich silks, satin and cotton tissues in a way that make her clothes distinctive yet wearable. She usually marries vintage sophistication with a modern sensibility and keeps her outfits comfortable. “I like to feel happy in what I wear. The feel of the fabric is as important as it’s look.”

Her taffeta dreams may have been realised but her sights are now set on business expansion. She’s already working on a new prêt label and is collaborating with Portico New York on a designer home fashion line.