“I have always been inclined to Fashion. Being well dressed and like they say ‘dressed for the occasion’ was something my mother instilled in me and my sister. When the pop culture grew in, it brought lots of colour and I realized my dream to be a designer. Bridal gowns interested me and when my sister got married; dressing her up convinced to move towards my passion – Fashion. It was definitely not easy as I was an established Interior Designer and things were great in business. On my brother’s advice, I moved to US to pursue my Interior work and learn more. But after meeting a Bridal designer in New York, I spent nights learning pattern making and understanding Fashion design. So on returning back to India, I spent close to two years working closely with silk weavers in Kancheepuram. All this gave me the confidence and know how to start my label Michelle Sallins.” replies the designer on how she got into fashion. 

  • She started her label in 2007, meaning the brand is three years old.
  • John Galliano gives her the inspiration in her fashion career.
  • Michelle showcased her collection at the recent Bangalore Fashion Week, 2010.
  • She is all set to showcase at Miami International Fashion Week, 2010.

She describes her flight of fashion as absolutely fantastic. The designer loves every day of her profession as a designer. In the industry, people know her for her silhouettes, colours combinations and timely deliveries. She believes in matching the costume to the wearer’s personality and bring in great create functionality, comfort and elegance.  

What inspired her first collection? “The BUTTERFLY- My Dad often referred to me as that. I used to travel a lot, always looking to do new stuff even when at home. Vibrant and full of life, I used to create colourful pieces of art or sometimes even dress in complete bold combinations. He thought I would join films or get into full time modelling…I had a beautiful, fun childhood which reflects in my creations.” tells Michelle.

Apart from this, she finds her muse in people around her, particularly women. The fairer sex has an inspiring frame, sensuality, movement and much more for the designer to excite a brainwave. In fact, she can perceive the gender’s traits in her signature motif, The Butterfly – colourful, feminine and sensuous. And she considers herself to be a God’s favourite child as she talks of not having seen real hard times. Still during her miniature difficult times, it’s her work and the challenge to innovate  that help her sustain.

We ask her for some fashion gyan. Consider what she shares, “You can look fashionable when dressed appropriately without being over done! Remember to use only two accessories but any. For e.g. a watch and earrings, a big clutch with a simple dress, a broad looped belt with plain fitted jeans. You need to have a LBD, a pair of well fitted indigo jeans and a white top with a tan belt, any three types of shoes, one 4” pumps for sure, a nice dress jacket, three pairs of broad bangles in metal, wood or bling and georgette or a lace cocktail saree.”

You can get Michelle Salins at :

Couture.Diffusion.Linen, 1/1, Kingston Road,

Richmond Town,

Bangalore 560 025, INDIA