Her design philosophy remains rooted to world cultures and she is eternally fascinated by mythology, folklore, and the foods, sounds, smells and ways of people around her. Clothes then become “just a medium of expression,” elaborates designer Minakshi Dadoo. She describes herself as “a child living in a fairytale” and when you look at her ensembles, you know that she is thoroughly enjoying every single minute. It all started when 10-year-old Minakshi inherited her grandmother’s opulent lehengas. What’s more, each piece came with its own mythical story and by the time, she was in fifth grade, Minakshi was already mixing and matching vintage blouses with her wardrobe. A fan of Stella McCartney, Nicolas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld, Ritu Kumar and Anamika Khanna, Minakshi’s own clothes comprise a quirky mix of colour, texture and print. “It’s more artistic and folksy than sexy or glamorous. In fact, I would rather be called an artisan than a fashion designer.” Her hometown, idyllic Kolkata, where she can live at her own pace is perfect and though Minakshi likes nothing better that making stunning clothes from there, she acknowledges that the business is ready for expansion and she wants to enter newer markets now. So what’s next on the cards? “Maybe the fashion weeks,” she muses. “Actually, I’ll just let my heart lead me. It usually leads right!”

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