Isha J debuts with a line with the perfect showstopper the curvaceous Vani Kapoor, displaying a collection that combined Chikankari with lace, and of course sinful washboard abs.
By Asmita Aggarwal
Born in Punjab to a family of real estate giants in construction, Isha Jajodia knew from the very beginning that design is her calling. This passion led to her studying at NIFT Gandhinagar, where she pursued GMT (garment manufacturing technology) and then came to Delhi to enhance her skills, with summer courses in design theory at the same institute, as well Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York.
Inspired by Lebanese greats Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab, their intricate embroideries, an ode to celebration of fine craftsmanship, and after years of working in the export business inspired Isha with the desire to launch her own label. I started developing swatches, and in 2014, took the plunge with a line of embellished leather jackets, which a couple of friends in Bollywood wore to the red carpet, and then as they say, there was no looking back, adds the designer, who launched Rose Room, her exclusive label, the same year.
The next year, a small pop up boosted her confidence, Aashni and Co. signed up with her to participate in a show at the Saatchi gallery, London, along with Pakistani designers. The silk, lungi-draped saris sold as well as structured pant suits. The belief in meditation and spirituality helped overcome many personal challenges, and make the right decisions, and opened many closed doors with shows in Dubai, where she honed the retail experience.
I would say my USP is elegant and delicate offerings crafted with panelled French laces, accentuated with Chikankari executed with exclusive silk threads, she admits. This matched with vibrant hues, tiny crystals and tulle is then converted into lehengas with trails, puffed shuddered jackets, sheer skirts, exuding a certain romance and engulfed with an air of mystery. I believe the modern bride would like a bit of fun, so a bralet, instead of a choli, a lehenga with pockets and a controlled girth without drowning her in fabric works well, she confirms. Her best sellers have always been ivories and gold, pastels, tone-on-tone without forgetting reds, the eternal game-changer.
Intrepid in her choices, despite the pandemic and its many upheavals, Isha opened her store in Ambawatta, and next year she is looking at Mumbai, considering she enjoys a fan following among the Mumbai film industry. In a few years, I would like to foray into precious jewellery too, though this year to accompany my gowns in a softer palette, I have tied up with DiaColor, she concludes. In attendance were a sea of celebsstar wives Seema Khan and Maheep Kapoor, Riddhima Sahni, better-known as Ranbir Kapoor sister, the international supermodel Ujwala Raut in a hooded lehenga, TV personality Rajat and his wife Ritu Sharma, Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon among other luminaries.
Many interesting projects are in the offing, Isha is working to fructify, like a three-city tour with Kalyani Chawla of Rezon luxury silverware, Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, where a discerning clientele gets to savour couture with home décor.