Her Creative Side Helped Her Become An Entrepreneur
From a low profile, friendly girl-next-door to a garment designer - she has indeed come a long way. Her journey involved struggle, grit and determination. Meet Delhi-based Oindrila Ghosh whose first retail outlet, Morpankh Dezine, opened in South Delhi last April. Her story is an example of an energetic dreamer turning into a successful entrepreneur.
She has always been a dreamer. Having grown up in a Bengali household in South Delhi, she obtained a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Delhi University. This was followed in due course by matrimony and a stint in IIM-Ahmedabad, as an academic associate in Organizational Behaviour. But she continued dreaming, always longing for expressing those dreams in real life.
Tapping The Childhood Passion
It was during her post-motherhood sojourn in Mumbai, that she decided to give a vent to her creative passion. Since childhood, Oindrila had been fond of painting and decorating objects and spaces around her, anything she could lay her hands on. Now finally, at a mature stage of life, her creativity erupted spontaneously and there was no stopping her. After a slow start with hand painted coasters, placemats and table lamps, she moved on to try her art on fabrics.
In her own words, “My extreme interest to create my own designs through painting, have actually driven me to the inception and conception of Morpankh Dezine. The myriad colours of a peacock’s feather are one of the greatest gifts of nature to mankind, I believe. That is the USP of my brand name. I love to be free in my mind and imagine to create new designs on apparels so that by wearing them, a woman can flaunt her artistic appeal and sensuality.”
Her entrepreneurial journey was no cakewalk since Oindrila was literally exploring an uncharted territory. She recalls, “Because I did not come from a fine arts background, getting accepted by the artist community was difficult. Also, painting on apparels is not considered mainstream work of art. I had to struggle more, as compared to others, to let people know about my work.”
She further adds, “Also hand painting on apparels, in our country particularly, on various types of sarees is by and large at an amateur level. Taking it to a serious level and making clients understand the intricacies, was an uphill task.”
Under The Feathers Of Morpankh Dezine
Our conversation now veers to the basic aspects of Morpankhdezine. The youthful designer dabbles in all types of pure fabrics ranging from silk, crepe, chiffon to tussar, satin silk, wool and the ubiquitous cotton. She has three artists working under her. In addition, she has managed to rope in a few weavers and handwork craftsmen based in Varanasi and parts of West Bengal. Which is why she dashes in and out of her Delhi home several times each month, liaising with the artists to churn out exquisite pieces.
What is competition like? I ask. She replies, “Not much in the immediate vicinity. That's because people still do not have much understanding of hand paintings on apparels.”
It is indeed a pleasure to take a look at her line of prêt-à-porter. This range is also available online. The array includes kurtas for men, kaftans, kurtis, sarees and stoles for women. She also custom designs similar items for specific clients.The motifs vary from flora, fauna and foliage to Lord Buddha, Lord Krishna et al. Of course the morpankh (peacock feather) occupies a place of pride among them.
As a subtle advertising gimmick, Oindrila often wears sarees painted by her and sure enough, she carries them with grace and charm. As she aptly says, “The love for uniqueness and to create a concept of Be The Fashion, is my motto.”
Where does she see herself ten years from now? With a faraway look in her eyes she says, “By then the concept of hand-painted apparels will have carved a niche for itself. My creations will vie with other ranges. A quaint artistic store for Morpankh Dezine is what I dream of.
This article has been written by one of our community members, Ruchira Ghosh. Do you know someone who can be featured on SHEROES, just like Oindrila? Drop us a mail at nirupama@sheroes.in or lola@sheroes.in
