Priya Chhabria, a commerce graduate from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, completed her diploma in Apparel Design & Manufacturing from P.V.Polytechnic, S.N.D.T. in 2002. After winning “student of the year” and best surface treatment for her graduating collection at Chrysalis, she won an internship at Sheetal and Sheetal Design studio where she trained and worked under Hemant Trevedi and Aki Narula. She went on to win the “British Council Femina Most Outstanding Young Designer” award, through which she was sent for a short training project at the famous UK brand “Monsoon” in London which gave her an international outlook to design and quality.
She was partner and head designer at “Prriya & Chintans” from 2003, where she has designed for famous celebrities like Salman Khan, Sridevi, Vidya Balan, Isha Koppikar, Amrita rao, Kangana Ranaut, Neha Dhupia and many more. Prriya & Chintans was a part of various fashion weeks in India and various shows in the United States as well.
Priya’s forte is designing Indianwear for men and women, where she merges Exquisite Indian embroideries with Western cuts to give her collection an International appeal. She has an eye for detail and uses highest quality in luxury fabrics and intricate embroideries to give the client a product that speaks style, elegance and high quality.
With an urge to take the Indian Fashion Industry by storm with her unique concepts and designs, Women Fitness India joins the stunning Priya Chhabria for an interesting conversation about fashion, food & fitness!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Your fashion journey began with a diploma course in Apparel Design & Manufacturing from P.V. Polytechnic, S.N.D.T. in 2002. What was your inspiration behind entering the world of fashion? Did fashion excite you from your teenage years or later became a part of you?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
I actually got my Bachelors degree in Commerce and economics, where I Majored in accounts. I always had a creative side to me but I always aspired to do an MBA and specialize in marketing. Somewhere down the line I decided I needed to rethink and do what I love and what excites me.. I got a couple of clothes made with my sister and we exhibited them to sell to friends and family.. I enjoyed the process and decided to give fashion a shot. Now I feel it’s a part of my DNA .. it’s all I do and breathe.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You went on to win the “British Council Femina Most Outstanding Young Designer” award, through which you were sent for a short training project at the famous UK brand “Monsoon” in London which gave you an international outlook to design and quality. How has it helped you in enhancing your own work and designs?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
‘Winning the award was one of the best things that happened to me. Going to London, working at Monsoon, and getting to see old Archived garments at the V&A museum, along with a short course at London College of Fashion and just hanging out in one of the world’s fashion capitals is inspiration in itself. I think after that trip, I always tend to blend something from the West and use Indian crafts or fabrics to create a modern yet Indian silhouette or look.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were a partner and head designer at “Prriya & Chintans”. How did that help you in gaining experience and exposure before launching your own independent line? According to you how has fashion evolved over the years?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
Prriya & Chintans was the first label I founded. We had 4 flagship stores between Mumbai, Delhi, New Jersey & Atlanta. With celebrities like Salman Khan, Sridevi, Vidya Balan, Amrita Rao, Neha Dhupia, and many more walking for us, the brand reached great heights and we showcased couple of times at the Fashion Weeks in India. It taught me a lot and my style and creativity has come a long way ever since. Over the years fashion has evolved in many ways, sustainability has become a big part of it today. But I see more, that people have evolved… they are more willing to experiment, they are more aware with the growing exposure to the internet and social media.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With such big success attached to your name, tell us about your upcoming fashion projects? What will they be based upon? One dress code for women that will never go out of fashion and suits every women?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
I will be launching my spring summer collection soon, followed by extensive travel and trunks shows all over the world – Nairobi, all of United States, London, Hong kong, Singapore. If we are speaking western wear, I love a white shirt and blue jeans on women, or the shirt can be replaced with a white tunic. A basic black dress depending on your body type can be worn and accessorized differently for different occasions. Indian clothing wise, a chikankari suit or Anarkali, a Benarasi sari, a jeweled tone or black gown and a pastel and one bright colored outfit will help you through all weddings and festive events. However, the silhouette has to enhance the body type and hide the flaws.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Three components that are key essentials in your fitness regime? Your forever target area.
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
Three components are: a balance of strength training, weight training and cardio. [cardio for me is playing badminton or swimming more than running on a treadmill].
A good warm up and cool down, A banana and coffee shot before my workout, and a good balanced meal of protein, carbs and fat after.
Forever target area: stomach, back and shoulders.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What does your first meal of the day look like? 5 foods to kick start the day?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
I usually start my day with almonds and banana.
Kick starts to the day
- Banana
- Almonds and dates
- Chia seed pudding
- Avocado on toast
- Omelette
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Cheat meals that you can’t resist?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
I have a sweet tooth.. can’t resist a tiramisu or Tres leche.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Your favourite Indian wear attire(s) for women this season? 5 Tips for active dressing for working mothers?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
I love Saris, so we have created an outfit that looks like you’ve worn a sari but is all stitched up and easy to wear.. I call it a Sari Kurta. It is worn over pants, easy, comfortable and elegant.
5 tips:
I genuinely feel you are what you dress. That doesn’t mean you dress for others, but you reflect your personality through your clothing. So, when you head to work, you always remember that and dress well.. everyday!
1. Clothing has to always be comfortable.. but that doesn’t mean wearing loose clothes.. I think the silhouette should enhance your best parts and hide the flaws, depending on the body type. If you have a small waist enhance that.. or if you are big on top with skinny legs, wear fitted pants and an anti fit top.
2. The fabric needs to be easy to maintain, which creases less unless it’s linen which looks best because of its creases.
3. Work clothes need to be comfortable but also something that could carry out to a do after, maybe carry an accessory like a scarf or a necklace to enhance it.
4. Versatile clothing, get separates that can be worn in multiple ways. A white shirt, a shirt dress, dark trousers / pencil skirt are essentials of western work wear.
As far as Indian work clothes, A Chinese collared tunic, a shirt style kurta, an a line cut Kurta teamed with pallazo pants, jeans, chudidar … dupattas are nice too but maybe slimmer stoles are easier to manage. Again work dressing depends on your profile and work place.
5. Dress for the role, but always elegant! Everyone wants to be respected for what they do, thus they should always dress elegant over sexy. Stylish yet elegant clothing will always leave a different impression.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you follow any skincare and hair care routine? Share your 5 skin care rituals.
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
I am blessed to have inherited good skin and hair from my mom, But after 30s and now 40 it’s important to take care of it. For my skin, I always use sunscreen during the day. And for my hair, I eat well and use as little heat on it as possible.
1. Sunscreen is the most important thing to be worn everyday! And a good spf 30+, 15 minutes before you step out. And a light moisturizer before you sleep.
2. I am vegetarian, so I eat a lot of greens, salads and fruits which reflects on my skin and hair. Nuts and dried fruits are very important for the skin and hair..especially Brazil nut for hair.
3. I wash my hair with no sulphate products 3 times a week, followed by conditioning and I let them dry naturally with no heat.
4. A good nights sleep. I sleep 7-8 hours every night.
5. Breathe, meditate and stress less! Don’t take life too seriously, and the happier you are from within, it will reflect on your skin.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
5 pieces of fashion advice for the brides of 2020?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
- Do not blindly follow trends, see what looks good on you and your personality. Let your outfit reflect your persona.
- Plan all the outfits together, which means, try to take different silhouettes, embroideries, colors and styles for each event. That way you have a different look for every event.
- Keep your favorite colour for the wedding outfit… that’s your main day.. wear the colour you love (of course not black!)
- Experiment with silhouettes and styles for Sangeet and mehendi, you don’t need to wear a lehenga for every event! Chose style over heavy embellishment.
- Don’t over accessorize, and don’t overdo the makeup. The entire look should enhance your face, and not overpower it.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Your brand has a global reach already, where do you see it in the next 2 years?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
I’m planning on expanding my reach in the states. I have a base in Chicago with my partner at Raaz couture. We plan to branch out to Houston and California. I also plan to launch a home furnishing line in a year’s time.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Message for your fans at Women Fitness?
Ms. Priya Chhabria:
Staying fit and healthy physically and mentally is key to happiness today. It doesn’t mean to be as thin as models or a zero 0-2-4.. it’s just staying active and keeping healthy. Fashion is what you like on yourself, learn to love yourself and everything will fall in place 🙂
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness Org