Designs on a fashion career
 | | Bhavna Rishi with one of her designs |
A DESIGNER is hoping for her big break after her creations
were showcased at London Fashion Week.
Bhavna Rishi, 33, of Monkhams Drive, Woodford Green, designs silk scarves, kaftans and dresses.
The mum-of-three started making scarves for family and friends after the birth of her first child, and in 2004 she turned professional.
She said: "I was always the young stylist of the family, but I was encouraged to pursue more academic subjects like maths and science, so I went to university and later got a job with American Express.
"But after the birth of my daughter, I wanted to go back to my creative side."
At this year's London Fashion Week, Mrs Rishi took part in the Fashion Diversity event, which aims to promote new and unusual designers.
She was one of six designers selected to choose 12 of their pieces for a catwalk show at the Museum of London.
She said: "It was amazing and went really well.
"I applied because I thought it would be a chance to promote myself and they told me my designs stood out because they were so unusual."
Her designs are made of silk or bamboo silk, which is hypoallergenic and comes from India.
They include bright colours, animal prints, embroidery, paisley print and smocking.
She added: "The silk is very soft, breathable and comfortable to wear, and I've been really pleased that people like my designs.
"I think people like the fact that they are hand-made and a little bit exclusive."
She has no formal training but she wanted to produce designs that were in keeping with her traditional upbringing in Delhi and has included certain techniques such as embroidery and smocking.
There are also plans to produce a range of silk tops and dresses for children, with particular demand from her eight-year-old daughter.
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