DARE - Because Entrepreneurs Do

Few call her a mysterious lady, few know her as an ace fashion designer, the work of this Indian fashionista has proved all of them right. Meet Neeta Lulla, the czarina of Indian fashion

The head start for any career sometimes comes from within and sometimes from family. For Neeta Lulla, the Indian ace fashion designer had got the push from her husband who wanted her to do something with her life. Neeta who was married in her teens later graduated from Shreemati National Damodar Thackersey Women’s (SNDT) University and for the last 20 years Neeta has been serving as the visiting faculty there.

“Fashion for me is a lifelong pursuit of excellence, an honest endeavor to interpret the mysticism that lies beneath the woven thread,” says Neeta Lulla, Diva of fashion designing.

Neeta Lulla entered the fashion industry more than two decades ago. Her designs have not only been recognized in India but have been acclaimed globally. Neeta Lulla is a name today to reckon with in the glamour and modeling industry. After having conquered Bollywood, she has successfully transformed into an entrepreneurial role.

Lulla receiving SME Entrepreneur of the year award at Franchise India Small Business Award, 2010	Neeta Lulla receiving the President Award for the film Devdas	Neeta Lulla receiving the President Award for the film Jodha Akbar

Neeta’s designer labels are sought after creations that suit many occasions. She has launched five premium labels: Diffusion, Luxury Prêt, Trousseau Consultancy and Bridals each addressing a unique segment. Like any other fashion designer Neeta runs a host of fashion shows in India and abroad. She has done several shows in different parts of the world including US, Canada, Monte Carlo, London, Dubai etc. Her forte is concept based shows where Neeta gets to work as assiduously as she does on a film set.

The world of fashionista almost lost Neeta to choreography when she joined Jeanne Naoroji, a noted fashion choreographer, as assistant choreographer. Having trained as a costume designer her heart was set on fashion designing. As destiny would have it, her break came from within the family. Prasan Kapoor, married to her sister, was planning his next venture Tamascha. Prasan was looking out for a fashion designer. Neeta jumped at the opportunity. She had just then graduated with the Best Designer of the year award for 1983-1984. Prasan readily agreed to give Neeta a break. Thus started Neeta’s tryst with fashion design from which she never looked back.

Neeta’s work in Tamascha was well received and got her more offers in the industry. She received her first big recognition in the movie Lamhe, for which she received National Award in costume designing.

Over the years Neeta mastered her art, stepping through various genres, she imprinted her own unique stamp in Bollywood. One has to look at such blockbusters as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Taal and Jodha Akbar – all coincidentally Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer – to appreciate the mind-boggling breadth of Neeta’s work. She won the President’s Award for Lamhe, Devdas and Jodha Akbar.’

Neeta has over 375 films to her credit and she has extended her design expertise to Hollywood projects like ‘Bride and Prejudice,’ ‘One Night with a King,’ ‘Mistress of Spices’ and ‘Provoked.’

Neeta Lulla is a perfectionist and hates to miss even a minute detail while designing her creations. Before she takes up any project Neeta prefers to visualize the character she is designing the costumes for. She religiously visits the film location to get the feel of the story and the characters. When it comes to handle the work pressure, Neeta says she takes the challenge as it comes. She says, “Life is not set on any rules. It is supposed to be lived the way you love and do your best at work.” Ask about any milestone of her career that she cherishes, Neeta says, “In my career and journey of 25 years there have been many milestones and I regard them all as my biggest successes.” Neeta says she practically never faced any challenge in her successful career. She says, “Life is a challenge every day, if you pursue excellence you will come across hurdles but experience teaches you how to go over them steadily, it’s about keeping your mind, eyes and instincts.”

Neeta launched Neeta Lulla flagship store in 2005 to cater to her growing clientele. She also heads NSL Fashions Pvt. Ltd. that deals with exclusive bridals and trousseau packages. Her boutique and online stores serve as the retail touch points for consumers.

As a women entrepreneur she believes, “Women entrepreneurship in India is on a rise in the last couple of years. The hidden entrepreneurial potential has been gradually coming to the forefront with the growing sensitivity to their role as well as economic status in India. Women today are not restricted to any field may it be retail, finance, hospitality or even biotechnology. With the development of tier II and tier III cities in India, as well as the increased exposure to the west, I am certain that women will be leaders on every front in the years to come.”

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed