For Gayatri Khanna, CEO & Creative Director, GAYA, Milaaya Embroideries, Indian arts and crafts have so many emotions attached to them that once you start connecting, you will never be able to detach. To acquaint the world about this rich heritage of India, she launched her fashion label GAYA in 2020. GAYA is a division of Milaaya Embroideries – a leading hand beading and embroidery house in India that was started by Gayatri in the year 2000. Her passion, determination and inspiring 
leadership have propelled Milaaya’s growth from a factory space of 7000 square feet in Mumbai, a showroom in New York and a handful of clients to 18,000 square feet, duly audited up-to-date factory with modern infrastructure, showrooms in all the major fashion capitals of the world. As a dedicated entrepreneur, she thoroughly enjoys the creative process from research to design development to the execution of the designs. Her global work experience of twenty years and thriving love for luxury fashion brands have helped her latest venture flourish in less than a year. TMM notes her success story, vision, and plans for the future.
You always wanted to acquaint the world with Indian art and craft. What do you love the most about Indian art forms?
I feel that we have so much to offer to the world in terms of creativity, rich heritage and diversity that there is no end to it. Each region in India has its own unique craft. An embroidery is an art form that has been passed on from one generation to another. It has so many emotions attached to it. I love the history and the tradition associated with it. I also love how the traditional embroideries can be adapted to modern sensibilities and how they beautifully amalgamate with western silhouettes. To be precise, there is a lot that is yet to be explored and narrated to the world and I am all set for it.
You launched GAYA amidst the pandemic. Was there any doubt about how well a new brand would be received?
Yes, while launching any new business, under whatever circumstances there is always a certain amount of risk and doubt, but with our experience of 21 years in the world of luxury fashion, our infrastructure, technical know-how and knowledge, launching GAYA to make the most of our resources seemed like the next logical step. This helped us support our 450 employees during the pandemic. We did a thorough market research and after identifying the gap in the market for glamorous loungewear and affordable yet luxurious RTW with a global appeal, we launched GAYA in August 2020.
Tell us about the brand and design philosophy of GAYA.
GAYA is a brand that is designed in Italy, handcrafted in India and sold globally. The idea was to create a luxury fashion brand that is affordable and has a global appeal in terms of its design, beyond the limitations of boundaries, countries, cultures, skin colour. GAYA draws inspiration from the earth and all that it nurtures – its people, cultures and the flora and fauna. Chic, versatile silhouettes with striking colour palette, bold prints and innovative embellishment are the USP of the brand. The brand aims to have a soul and a conscience and act as a medium to bring about awareness on various social and environmental causes like global warming, sustainable and ethical manufacturing processes in fashion, recycling, women empowerment, equality and other such current topics.
What is your biggest takeaway from working for international labels like Giorgio Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, Balmain, and Versace?
Working with international brands has definitely been enlightening and inspiring and I continue to learn every day as we create beautiful embroideries for them. My biggest takeaway from working with some of the most coveted brands is that never to compromise on the quality of the product. Quality is 
what differentiates mediocre from extraordinary. Also, what I realized is that even though the brands innovate in terms of designs, they don’t necessarily follow trends, they set the trends! They always stick to their core aesthetics or design sensibilities, one fashion season after the other. This way one will always recognize a Dolce and Gabbana or identify a Balmain dress. I would love to have the same recognition for GAYA where one can spot the dress and relate it back to the brand.
From 7000 sqft space in Mumbai to a showroom in New York, your brainchild Milaaya Embroideries has come a long way. How and when did it start and what was the idea behind it?
I am a B.S.C graduate in Entrepreneurial Studies and Marketing, from Babson College, Massachusetts. After graduating, I moved to New York and worked with various garment companies before getting a job at Saks Fifth Avenue as a buyer for designer wear. I used to be in awe of the craft-fully designed garments and thought India had so much to offer to the western world in terms of embroideries. I wanted to acquaint the world with the rich Indian heritage and amalgamate the Indian embroideries with western designs. That is when I decided to combine my educational background in Business, my work experience and a strong interest in fashion to set up my own venture- Milaaya Embroideries in the year 2000 in New York and Mumbai.
Tell us about your latest collection Paradise.
As the name suggests, Paradise collection is all about fresh floral prints and embroidery in a vibrant colour palette that will instantly transport you to the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. After the glum year, we have had, it is the simple joys of life that really matter and this is reflected in this 
cheery and beautiful botanical print accented with subtle embellishments. The collection is made up of feminine and chic dresses, contemporary blouses, stylish yet easy to wear jumpsuits and pants suits as well as GAYA’s métier lounge-sets in soft, flowy and summer-friendly fabrics is versatile in its appeal! The collection also consists of a noteworthy set of dresses intricately embroidered in threadwork and beads setting them apart, showcasing GAYA’s forte. No GAYA collection would be complete without the must-have accessory pieces that complement the garments- the scarves in luxurious silks, the fun and funky visors, trendy earrings and headbands.
When it comes to designing and silhouettes, what inspires you? What colour palette do you love to play around with the most?
I find inspirations every day in the smallest of things; it could be a bouquet of fresh flowers, or some carving in a heritage building, or my travels. As mentioned earlier, I am learning something new every day by working with some of the most iconic fashion brands in the world. Their work inspires me. For me, clothes are an expression and they reflect what one is feeling. When I select designs, I want the person wearing them to feel good, uplift their mood and make heads turn! I want the designs to evoke positivity and joy. Hence, I choose striking refreshing prints, a vibrant colour palette and innovative embellishments that add a touch of luxury and understated glamour.
You are an avid traveller and a certified scuba diver. How do you create work-life balance and what else interests you in life?
Yes, I love travelling and when I am diving I feel I am in a different world. I block out all my thoughts and am one with the marine life! In the fast-paced world that we are living in, the pandemic has made me realize that it is imperative more than ever to have a work-life balance. I love spending time with my two daughters. Their energy is contagious! I try to find time to read as well. I also make it a point to exercise and meditate every day.
The post Connecting Dots: Gayatri Khanna appeared first on TMM.