Niki Mahajan has been in the Indian fashion industry for over 30 years, and her dedication to promoting Indian textiles and handicrafts has earned Niki the directorship of the Fashion Design Council of India for the past 6 years. Her latest development, Reeds, is a new fabric that entails splitting grass and treating it with natural elements, and she’s also reviving badla, a traditional Indian dyeing technique.
For her new couture collection, she drew inspiration from Begum Hazrat Mahal, a historic figure who rose from the ranks of a humble courtesan, into a powerful Begum (after being accepted as the royal concubine of the King of Awadh). The title, Hazrat Mahal, was then bestowed to her after she gave birth to a son, and her place in history was cemented with participation in the 1857 rebellion against the East India Company, and her eventual takeover of the province of Awadh. No small feat for a woman during those times!
These days it’s important for Indian women to draw inspiration from strong figures, from people who struggled and fought at important moments in India’s history. Begum Hazrat Mahal faced many obstacles, and she fought for the rights of her people. It’s that kind of courage led Niki Mahajan to create this line for the modern Indian woman.
MissMalini will be attending and covering her show live from Delhi on September 14th, and stay tuned for a Twinterview with Niki on the 13th!