A postgraduate in Apparel Design and Merchandising from National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad in 2006, Sonal went on becoming the youngest NIDian to win a scholarship at Politechnico di Milano, Italy for a masters course in Strategic Design Management.
Her field trips to the villages in India got her exposed to the communities involved in crafts like embroidery, weaving, dyeing, printing and sculpting. Their workmanship inspired her. She wanted to contribute to this industry some time in future. That is when the label Sonal Kabra was born in her mind.
It was later in 2011, when she took up the challenge to bring her label into being and use her sensibilities to the fullest giving a contemporary touch to these crafts.
Her debut collection featured elegant and comfortable garments crafted using the dyeing technique called Shibori which got noticed by some of the finest stores across the country. In 2012, Sonal was shortlisted among top 50 entrepreneurs at Power of Ideas organized by IIM-Ahmedabad in association with the Economic Times for her business idea with a strong social cause.
Her forte lies in translating new ideas and inspirations in clothes that are elegant and comfortable with a detailed attention to fabric and craftsmanship. Each piece from her collection is made from age-old Indian textiles woven by some of the finest weavers coming from different parts of the country.
These fabrics are then taken on a contemporary ride using traditional techniques like applique, block printing, shibori and embroidery resulting into a dress that is soft, supple and comfortable.
The year 2017 saw a launch of her new clothing line The Neem Tree, which started with the vision to empower regional block printers and weavers across the country to preserve the rich heritage and craft reservoir of India.
Sonia Sarin
NIFT and Central Saint Martins graduate in fashion, Sonia Sarin Jains first choice for profession was Law and not fashion. Her mother is the labels muse and also its first client, critique and curator. Sonia Sarin Designs had started as a hobby in her garage with one master and one Pfaff machine in 2004. The label had its first show in 2010. Deconstruction is her forte, creating and designing out of any fabric form is what she loves.
