Every day, we wake up to our hectic lives to be the person we are expected to and dance along the day in different shoes. While caught up in the cobweb of responsibilities and secure lifestyle, we keep dreaming of life’s possibilities, never daring to turn them into livable reality. What we forget is that we only live once and if we work it out right, once will be enough.

‘Budding them dreams’ is an insight, on how life is a decision between two roads, the one that seems easy to traverse and the other where journey itself is better than the destination. It’s an ode to the revolutionary protagonists, who not just dared to dream but embraced it and strived to create their own world.

On this International Women’s Day, we launch our blog series with our first gem-

Payal & Zinal: Redefining the Conventional Fashion

It is in the character of very few people to honor, without envy, a friend who is just as talented as themselves. The story of Payal Kothari and Zinal Shah started at the leading fashion designing institute, where they perceived each other as a competition, first and then as a friend. But it is true that what’s meant to be will always find a way and thus came up the unconventional team of Payal & Zinal, who defied the perceived notion that competition brings the worst out of people and instead curated a phenomenal ruffle in the fashion industry as ideal friends who believed in each other and their distinctive vision. Celebs like Vidya Balan and Sana Khan could not help but adorn themselves with Payal & Zinal’s collection of Garments and accessories, further adding a feather to their crown.

• How and when did it start?

Payal and Zinal paired up with each other for the first time to do their final year project for the completion of Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Designing. They wanted to use their undying competition with each other in a way that favored both of them and thus instead of standing face to face in opposition; they chose to stand side by side. Their combined talent and refreshing outlook, together became a sensational fusion and they just rocked their project while earning the best collection award that year. And that’s when they realized the fiery potential they held together as a team. Answering to their calling, they did not wait for long and came up with own label in July, 2016 and since then they never turned back. Meanwhile, from getting selected in top 5 of India Fashion Week, Delhi to being praised by industry’s fashionistas and celebs, Payal & Zinal saw vibrant hues of success and recognition from in and around the industry. These Surti girls made a number of people proud of their determined efforts and hard work that they continuously put in to build the label and just in 9 months from their inception as a team, they already have become one well known name.

• What was the motivation behind this?

Both of them aspired to be known for their visionary designs someday, but they never dreamt of doing it so fast and early in their career. After their hit pair up for college project, they tried their hands at various fashion shows and events and they realised the unique upshot was garnering a lot of eyeballs and for all the right reasons. One of their original collection that was acknowledged widely was their series of Unisex Garments and accessories that showcased stunning designs celebrating equality and balance of sexes. After witnessing their passionate stride up slope, their parents encouraged them to start their own label and hence they gave an address to their zealous progeny and Payal & Zinal was founded.

• Challenges faced:

Since they are new and upcoming designers and come from completely outside of fashion industry, it’s hard to make the way in the thriving market with so many famous names.  Especially so because their garments are often larger than the life and are fabricated in unique, crisp designs that tell its own tale.  Added to that, the embroideries and embellishments they use are different. Hence their work attracts people who like trying new things and experiment with individual styles.

• Future goals:

They want to dress everyone under their label but in a way that they feel comfortable and classy and still be version of Payal & Zinal’s signature statement. They aspire to see their brand name as a part of Lakmé designers in the coming two years. Lakmé and Amazon fashion week is their goal for now.

 Keep an eye on this space for more such stories. Coming up soon!