From capturing hearts on the most coveted red carpets across the globe to dressing up real-life heroes, Nivedita Saboo through her couture embodies its mission to inspire every individual to become the best version of themselves. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, the national award-winning designer takes us through her journey and working style.
Tejal Sinha
National-award-winning designer Nivedita Saboo’s journey as a designer began with a flair for fabric, clothes, visiting her tailor and telling him the styles that she wanted and the fabrics that she wanted to choose from.
And, this led her to a passion for fashion. Post her graduation from NIFT Delhi, she was hired by Arvind Fashions as their head designer for all their brands – Wrangler, Flying Machine, Excalibur, etc was the high point. Arvind Fashions just took it forward and made her experience and knowledge as a designer of scale truly astounding.
Taking us through her forming days, the couturier enthused, “When I set out to work at the age of 19 with Arvind Fashions, I think the focus was to really contribute to the design industry in ways that will benefit the industry and become game-changing decisions for the industry as well as myself. In no time I started my own label and eventually, expanded my client base. I really feel grateful to have built this brand one brick at a time.”
The landscape of the fashion industry is ever-evolving. With the micro and macro influencers, the industry has captivated many fashion lovers. Over the years, Nivedita shares, “There’s such an incredible change that has taken place in the fashion industry in the last couple of years. The globalization of design and style and the very fact that the world is at your fingertips on your phone through social media, Pinterest or Instagram. The tradition and interest of working with sustainability, and the desire to be locally rooted but still being globally relevant is a change that I see in the fashion industry.”
Asked how she manages to keep the creative juices flowing even after two decades, she says, “I think my creative juices are flowing because I do something that I absolutely and tremendously love and I am inspired by life itself. Like every single day when you see different personalities that you have to dress, inspiration comes through travel, through beautiful innovations and fabrics, different cuts, and techniques. It’s just stunning how so many different elements of life intertwine with fashion. This is such a seamless process that I don’t think I will ever run out of creativity.”
When it comes to designing, the fashion connoisseur has always been someone who’s given importance to following her instincts as opposed to adhering to a set of rules. Trends don’t last very long. But, “clothing and fashion that translates from one’s design ethos and personality becomes extremely relevant to life. I feel this is an instinct that I have always followed in my life. The most important thing that I feel to be relevant, is to be moving with the times. I definitely rely on my instincts and on the instant feedback that I get back from all of these beautiful patrons that we dress at Nivedita. Sustainability has always been at the root of our as a brand. We think of more than just promoting sustainability. We also focus on creating versatile collections and garments that make sure that you can use the ensemble that you get from the house of Nivedita differently every single time you wear it. If it is a dress that can also be worn as a Corset, as a skirt, as a lehenga, as a gown; if it’s a cape you can wear it with your saree, pair of pants, or over an Anarkali.”
Nivedita Saboo is a believer of sustainability and is taking the leap towards indulging in encouraging sustainable solutions within the brand, the fashion industry and student communities all over India. “It is the versatility in the garment that not only promotes a sustainability process but also sustainability in the end use of how many times can a garment be used. I feel like these pieces which literally translate into being so beautiful in their craftsmanship and technique almost become heirlooms that you can hand over from generation to generation and truly used to your heart’s content. I feel like that is the story of sustainability from the house of Nivedita collection,” she signs off.
