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Delhi-based Payal Jain, a fashion designer par excellence, recently opened her store at the Leela, Mumbai. Having worked with NGOs and cooperatives, has probably helped her in envisioning more affordable designer wear, while not compromising on her USP of terrific finishing and designs that are eminently wearable.

Creativity has always been in my blood...
Both my parents are very artistic people. My mother is an artist, and my father, an engineer who designs buildings. He also plays the sitar quite well. Brought up in such aesthetic ambience, I learnt to appreciate the finer things in life. So, it was only natural that I lean towards the Arts, and eventually take up fashion designing.

I started out with a stint in Architecture...
Following in my father's footsteps, I took up Architecture for a while, and it all seemed smooth-sailing till I started my internship. Working in the real world was quite disillusioning for me. Bribing officials and trying to work on contracts didn't seem like fun to me. I'd rather have spent all my time working on the drawing board and creating ideas as opposed to dealing with officials!

I got my basic degree in B. Com...
At that point, I believed that if nothing else, the degree would at least help me run my own business. It was during my first year B. Com that I ventured into fashion designing.

My first show was an indulgence...
I had absolutely no idea as to where this would take me. But, the exhibition went off really well! And, that was very encouraging for me. I decided to take up fashion designing more seriously, and started applying to various schools abroad. When I got a call from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, San Francisco, I just couldn't believe it. I kept pinching myself, since it's one of the best institutes for fashion designing.

The road was all uphill from there...
After the entire elimination process with the 45-minute phone interview and the final meeting, I landed in San Francisco. My father accompanied me there, but left the very next day. So, here I was, all alone for the very first time in my life! It was quite unnerving.

I had always led a very protected life...
As an only child I had all the possible opportunities and luxuries that my parents could offer me. Out here, in India, we take so many things for granted. Your life can get quite hectic if you have to run your own home, cook, clean, wash and put in more than 16 hours of work at the Institute. My life there was no exception.

The first few months were difficult as hell...
Learning to be independent can be quite painful. All of a sudden you're responsible for your life and all your decisions. I even took up a job so that it would hold me in good stead later in my career. Adding to my cup of woes, was the fact that I was a woman, and an Indian woman to boot. Racial discrimination was quite rampant at that point. Subtle, yet ever present. The only thing to do was to concentrate on your goal, and get on with life. I worked there for eight months before I headed back home.

I set up my first store at Hauz Khas, Delhi
I wanted my store to be different from all those home-grown boutiques. The setting was perfect! Hauz Khas was the perfect area with its quaint setting and old-world charm. Tucked in the middle of all the galleries, my store had a beautiful view.

The first year was quite difficult...
It took a while for people to appreciate and understand the difference between a tailor-made and a designer wear. There's actually a science behind designing! One needs to be educated in this aspect to be able to sustain a business in this industry.

Fashion trends last for precisely two weeks...
At the end of the day, as a designer you have to perform! You're as good as your last idea. The great thing about my job is that it keeps me on my toes. It's very challenging, and you have to keep re-inventing yourself. Your clients expect you to give them something interesting every time, and if can't deliver, you lose them to someone else.

I don't make mad clothes!
I make clothes for real people who wear regular clothes. It's a different thing altogether, if you let your creative juices flow, and occasionally indulge in some designs that will never sell. My designs are very wearable and affordable, and that's something I won't compromise on.

My husband Manish, and my parents support me completely...
They are my backbone. My parents offer to babysit my three-year-old twins all the time. That gives me enough time and space to pursue my career. Manish has always encouraged me. He takes care of the kids, when I have to travel for work, though I try to get back as soon as possible, as I miss them so much!

As a designer, I prefer working with NGOs and cooperatives...
That way I know that the money is going directly to the right people. I've been working with craftsmen from all over India, especially Lucknow and Kutch. Sourcing work from such centres gives me a chance to promote the arts and crafts of our country, which are so rich and diverse. I also enjoy working with craftsmen at the grassroot level.

I would advice people to get the right education...
The fashion industry is a constant attraction for people enjoying the glamour and attention. However, in reality, it's a serious business, and I'd advice people interested in making this a career, to take up formal training in the area they want to specialise in before plunging headlong into it.