Introducing another mother- daughter duo: Reena Sawlani & Tanvi Sawlani

It is believed that, playing dress up starts at the age five and never truly ends. Starting with the mother dressing up the child, the game continues till the child becomes an adult and does the same with the next generation. This is how it started with Tanvi Sawlani too, the founder of Zwaan, an upcoming brand offering trendy western evening wear. While her mother liked adorning her for parties and outings, the young Tanvi would be mesmerized to see her mom getting all decked up too. Tanvi’s fascination with fashion and designing grew with years and what started as a game ended up becoming her career. In a candid conversation, Tanvi tells us how her mother, Reena Sawlani, has been an indispensable element in her career path.

• What has been your mother’s role in making you what you are today?

For Tanvi her mother has been her bank of emotional support since the very beginning. From starting her first year in National Institute of Fashion & Techonology to launching her own brand, Zwaan, Reena has stood like a pillar beside Tanvi, understanding the whole process and helping her figure things out. Her mother stood by when she was upset, angry, stressed and worried but never lost faith in her potential to build Zwaan. Zwaan literally means a swan which stands for elegance and poise. Just like the name, Tanvi’s designs too stand out and aces in making every client look alluring on any occasion. Reena’s undeterred support and unequivocal belief in Tanvi’s abilities, provided her the freedom to choose what she liked and pursue a skill based career with determination.

• How has your mother helped you or been your strength in facing life during the time of distress?

Like any business or profession, designing and managing a brand comes with some major highs and lows. What is important is to remain humble during the highs and to not get disheartened during the lows. Reena made sure with her support and motivation that Tanvi faced every situation unwaveringly. Tanvi remembers an incident when a customer was not satisfied with her gown and had called Tanvi at 8:30 in the night to explain her predicament. She was agitated and clueless as to what will happen now as she was supposed to travel the next day, but without wasting much time in pondering, Tanvi went to her mother and explained the situation and started to leave to fix the gown at the customer’s place. And the next thing she realizes is that Reena was right beside her  smiling and carrying a pair of scissors, hand needle, seam ripper and thread in her hand. That night they went together, did the alterations and got back home by 11 o’clock. Well, this is why, Tanvi thinks of her mother as a superwoman.

• What is that one trait of your mother that you admire the most and even aspire to emulate in yourself?

As a woman of substance, Reena have her own set of beliefs and even after so many years together, Tanvi is often astonished to see how flexible her mother is, with regard to her thoughts and way of doing things. Irrespective of the generation gap her mother has always been a broad-minded and understanding person; from work problems and emotional turmoils to personal life crises and Reena not just lends her ears and shoulders to Tanvi but make her feel better and hopeful instantly, even about things that she never thought of saying out loud. Being always the one to bind the family together, Tanvi wishes to be as loving and giving as her mother.

• One-line message that you would like to dedicate to your mother:

Tanvi fondly says, “I am going to make you so proud of me one day, so you feel as lucky to have me as I feel to have you, I love you mom.”