Of Military Jackets and Feminine Contours

Khaki draped toga dress, by Ayesha Depala; sandals, from Zara. All from Ayesha's personal collection.

Jaipur printed silk gown, by Ayesha Depala. All from Ayesha's personal collection.

“Style is an attitude.... It is an expression of your personality through what you wear. It reflects the person you are. Style is a global concept while fashion is more about the moment and is a passing phase.”

Black crepe pants, by Ayesha Depala; khaki jacket, from Top shop; black peep toe shoes, from Maison Margiela. All from Ayesha's personal collection.

“I receive inspiration from everywhere. Be it unique streets, antique markets, architecture or simple art. India is a great source of stimulation for me. The sheer sense of history and cultural heritage are hugely inspiring.”

Black draped chiffon cutwork gown, by Ayesha Depala; bracelet, from  Amrapali; heels, from Manolo Blahnik. All from Ayesha's personal collection.

“The personality of the person is important. Any dress looks great if the wearer is confident. For that reason, I would love to dress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. I think she would suit my aesthetic and the style of my work. Internationally, I aspire to dress Charlize Theron and Kate Moss.”

Khaki draped toga dress, by Ayesha Depala; sandals, from Zara. All from Ayesha's personal collection.

“London and Paris with their vibrant fashion sense are my absolute favourite shopping hubs. Everything there is so stylishly merchandised and displayed. I tend to find unusual yet very interesting things in their markets with little shops and quirky emporiums.”

“I tend to be quite understated,” says Ayesha Depala, the young Dubai-based designer who shot to fame for creating actress Sonam Kapoor’s chic and stylish wardrobe in Aisha. The film didn’t fare very well but Sonam’s ensembles had tinsel town talking. Like in the movie, Depala designs for the modern woman who appreciates style and quality, paying great attention to detail. Her clothes are as graceful and feminine as they are unique in their use of a fresh sensibility of elegant gowns and dresses with sharp tailoring. Following the philosophy of creating a product that is both exclusive and accessible, Depala began her design career with the launch of her signature couture and prêt line, Ayesha Depala. She launched her brand at Saks Fifth Avenue in Dubai, making her the first Indian designer to enter the Middle-Eastern retail market. In another milestone, she became the first non-resident Indian designer to showcase her collection at the HDIL Couture Week in Mumbai.

In her personal style, as with her collections, Depala manages to add that extra punch to the simplest of designs. You may find her sporting “a strong military inspired jacket or waistcoat over a feminine blouse or dress to make it unpredictable”.