The soul of the fabric

At 24, Sonali Pamnani has got the much-needed break that fashion design students pray for. Sonali from Hyderabad is among four emerging designers selected from across the country to showcase their work at The Amazon India Fashion Week for the ‘First Cut’ segment, which Elle India and the Fashion Design Council of India are collaborating on.

“To be part of a project — especially since this is my first fashion week — backed by Elle and FDCI is an amazing opportunity and it can’t get better than this,” says Sonali, who is in New Delhi for the show that is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 11. “I got a call from the organisers two weeks ago and for the show I am presenting 10 looks, 20 pieces.”

Even though she comes from a business family, Sonali admits that she always wanted to make clothes. After her graduation from Nift Hyderabad, she interned under Nida Mahmood for some time. She was also the recipient of Best Ramp Appeal Collection during her graduation show in 2012. Sonali, who started her fashion label The Meraki Project in the city in March 2014, says, “I don’t use synthetic fabrics; they are all hand-woven textiles. And it’s this heart and soul appeal of the garment that the customers appreciate and love,” says Sonali, who aims to encourage youngsters to wear handlooms and Ikat.

A lover of handlooms since her design school days, Sonali admits that her garments don’t necessarily focus on the latest trends, but on comfort and style. “People abroad love Indian handlooms, but in India, the general perception is that it’s for old people. Ikat fabric is the kind that you get only in the city and I want to globalise our textiles and our quality fabrics,” she says.