When the much acclaimed movie Black, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali had hit the screens in 2005, the audience actually believed that the 12 year old girl playing the role of Michelle McNally was actually blind. That is the acting genius of Ayesha Kapur. She not only starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the movie but also won a number of Best Supporting Actress Awards for the same. Giving vent to her creativity, this young achiever has also floated a fashion forward accessory brand by her name ‘ayesha’. Offering a paraphernalia of fashion essentials, her stores are positioned as one-stop-colourful shop for everything funky and sensational like – hip hats, cool sunglasses, smart flips flops, funky bags, colourful laptop cases, chic jewellery like bangles, neck pieces, earrings and more. She is also the daughter of one of the popular fashion label owners, Dilip Kapur, Managing Director of Hidesign. In a tete-e-tete with Sayanti Banerjee, Ayesha shares her vision for her accessory brand ‘ayesha’
Why did you want to start out with your own accessory line?
My mother was selling accessories in her department store Casablanca in Pondicherry and it was doing very well. I loved helping her with the merchandising and that is how it all started.
What has been your source of inspiration?
I get my inspiration from observing the things around me. It may be while I am walking through the markets of Delhi or Bombay or the most trendy stores in Milan, New York or Tokyo for that matter.
What do you consider the USP of your brand?
The product portfolio of ‘ayesha’ offers everything that is funky, fun, fashionable with a fusion of the western and Indian trends. They are also made affordable at the same time.
Are you planning to add anything new to the product portfolio in the near future?
We are always introducing new products and styles to our range. We just came out with a line of watches of late.
Who are your target audience?
Fashion trendsetters, who are young as well as those who are young at heart!
What are some of the boons and banes of this industry?
It involves a lot of fun and a lot of work at the same time.
How often do you add new products and styles?
All the time!
What are your future plans as far as your work is concerned and how do you plan to grow your retail presence?
My brand is available in selected outlets in Mumbai, Goa, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pondicherry. Moving ahead, the aim is to open about 100 shops within the next three years. We have also just started out with the shop- in- shop concept at Shopper’s Stop and Central.
Finally, will you be appearing in movies having enjoyed the success of ‘Black’ at a young age?
I hope so!!!!
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