At first, she put her culinary skills to test. Then she tried her hand at designing home accessories. “But I was not happy with what I was doing,” adds bag couturier Pinky Saraf. “Then, I started making handbags for myself. I knew I had discovered my forte,” she says. And so the brand Pinky V Saraf was born some four years ago in Mumbai.

Within a short span the brand has become quite the rage among her top-end clientele who are always on the look out for something new. Saraf’s handbags draw inspiration from anything that grabs her attention and interest — like a dome of a temple, paintings, idols....

The designer adds a touch of exclusivity with raw materials like wood, Balinese beads and African tribal paintings. The range includes chunky clutches, paisley printed small clutches, potlis, pouches and carry-all work bags. “My work bags are ornamental, yet utility based,” she says.

The new digital print range and the Buddha idol range are hot sellers. Saraf calls her Aztec looking bag with coin motifs her “lucky mascot”. “It was my first design. I have sold about 400 pieces and still counting! It gave me an incentive to move ahead in life. It’ll never go out from my collection,” she enthuses.

The brand has been able to garner premium shelf spaces in stores like Kimaya, Samsara, Aza, Kali (Kolkata), Millionaire (women), Benzer World and Melage. It’s also available in stores showcasing Indian designers in Hong Kong, Muscat, Dubai, Miami and Jamaica.

Saraf who is also into designing funky accessories, uses monotones for the idol collection and bright flashy colours for her digital range. Her personal favourite is the Buddha range, as she’s very “zen-like at heart”. She insists that she’s not hung up on her brand. “I absolutely love my Gucci and Prada bags!”

Subscribe to Verve Magazine or buy the Verve issue on stands now!