Venkat Raman
A young member of the community is creating waves across oceans with her designs on fashion, individual satisfaction and most important of all, global friendship.
Nazneen Daruwalla, who has been on stage performing dance numbers at several popular events (including Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards), is now setting the scene for the fashion conscious in New Zealand and abroad.
Alter Me
Nazneen owns and manages ‘Alter Me,’ a specialist company that offers designing, dressmaking, sampling and clothing alterations.
“We will soon launch bridal service, collaborating with young and up-coming designers to help solve production issues in New Zealand. With production units increasingly going offshore, it is hard for young designers to stay in business. Alter Me will be a reliable source for designers to get their production work completed,” she said.
“As a designer, I believe in using precision tailoring to create quality pieces for clients and love sharing my knowledge and expertise,” Nazneen said.
Pride and Passion
Migrating to New Zealand from her native India with her family when she was just six years old, Nazneen evinced interest in fashion, encouraging her to pursue a four-year course leading to a graduate degree in Fine Arts, with Fashion Design as the major subject of study from the prestigious Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design.
Passion for fashion took Nazneen to New York City, where she completed internship.
Rewarding experience
Nazneen said that one of the most interesting and rewarding phases of the formative years of her career was working with famous designers such as Amber Whitecliffe, Hard Out Kiwi and Karen Walker, accruing national and international experience.
“My passion extends to sewing and designing. I love meeting new clients and helping them by designing, altering and creating beautiful and unique piece. The best thing about working one-on-one is the personal connection that I share with my clients while creating or altering a garment for them,” she said.
Haute Couture
Nazneen plans to launch her own label called ‘M& N Couture,’ apart from working with world-famous brands such as Karen Walker.
An online boutique, it would have a comprehensive range of garments and dresses in 2016 but the current year will see a few pieces on sale.
“M&N Couture is about how I have always loved the influence a power couple has on others. Influenced by my fascination for films, glamour and luxurious fabrics, the brand portrays the essence of being that power,” she said.
Power Couple
Nazneen defines a power couple as two people sharing their immense love for each other, a couple who stands out when entering a crowd. She hopes to present this definition through the brand’s garment silhouettes and fabrics, making a statement of an inseparable bond between two people.
“Materials such as silk, jacquard, leather and georgette will have a key significance to expose the luxury of that power. The products will include saris, kalidars, suits and lenghas for women, and sherwanis, suits and kurtas for men,” she said.
Sister Label
She is simultaneously working on ‘His & Hers,’ a sister label to portray Indian Bridal attire. It would also be a place for couples to experience deluxe garments on offer.
“His & Hers will in course of time offer precious and bridal jewellery for men and women,” Nazneen said.
www.alterme.co.nz
Photo :
Nazneen Daruwalla (in white dress) with models wearing her designer wear. Other pictures appearing in this report also depict her designs
