Shloka Sudhakar isn’t a newcomer in the fashion scene. Hailing from Bangalore, this young, energetic, and dynamic designer transitioned from a finance graduate to pursuing her passion for textiles and design. Her prowess in the industry has been notable and consistent. Her popularity isn’t confined to brides and wedding attendees; she’s recognized as a designer who consistently delivers in each of her collections.
When discussing her upcoming collection, she emphasizes her complete adherence to tradition, centred around Banaras and Kanchivaram sarees. She highlights the vintage essence, heavily embroidered and embellished blouses, emphasizing her focus on intricately embroidering Kanchivaram and Banaras sarees for this particular collection.
We’ve always been intrigued by Shloka Sudhakar’s journey to success. Let’s step into Shloka Sudhakar’s shoes to explore how she has reached this remarkable point in her career.
What inspires you the most, where do you get your inspirations from ?
I think it’s always revolved around nature. I’m always inspired by the colours or elements of the sea , the sky , the deep forest , the flora and fauna . And, my embroidery too has always been about the varied florals , plants , birds , geometrical prints and scriptures. It’s definitely everything to do with the nature and a bit of architecture and sculptures.
Does being in the fashion world affect your personal life ? Has the glamour world ever affected your personal or mental health ?
I don’t think there is a smallest element of my profession affecting in anyway of my personal life. Designing clothes and having clients or retailing to stores has nothing to add to the glamour. The fashion weeks and photo shoots are done collectively with a lot of other professionals involved and that probably looks very glamorous from the outside but it’s like any other profession with each of us putting in a lot of effort to achieve the best we can. So, I don’t think there is a one percent chance also of my personal or mental life being affected by my profession.
What do you call being a fashion designer? A business or is it an art?
You definitely need to be creative to come up with a new concept , design and idea for every collection. But, I also think it needs business skills to look into expansion , increase production and growth in general. A mix of both, creativity and business , I think is a perfect and deadly combination.
Who do you think is your biggest competitor in the industry ?
Being in the creative world , it’s about coming up with something original every day. I’ve never thought of anyone as a competitor. I just want to be a better version each passing year. So, to get at least ten times better than the previous year and improvise each year is what I would want to be. I’m overwhelmed by where the Indian fashion market has reached now and has an amazing global reach.
Which Indian according to you is a global fashion icon ?
I love Sonam Kapoor and her sense of style. I think she is my personal favourite. And, of course, we are all proud of Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhat, it’s nice and proud to see Indians doing so well on the international front.
What advice would you offer to the younger generation who admire and seek inspiration from you?
Embrace the journey from your outset as a designer. Emphasize the importance of consistency and originality; they are the true investments that yield results. Conduct thorough research to identify trends and gaps in the market, enabling you to contribute something unique. However, remember that overnight success is rare; relish the journey—it’s the most rewarding part.
Shloka Sudhakar talks about the current trends in Indian fashion, she underscores the necessity for a diverse range, from Indo-Westerns to traditional ensembles, catering to various occasions. Discussing her forthcoming collection, she expresses her venture into uncharted territory—an entirely traditional line centered on Banaras and Kanchivaram sarees. Signing off, she emphasizes her focus on South Indian fashion in this upcoming collection.
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