I started out fairly easier but I had the problem of proving that I'm actually talented. People think you have a privilege over others and I had to keep working harder.

My mom is really naive - she thinks that because she is honest, other people will be honest too. That's not the way it works.

My father was as involved as he could be. He was busy, but called me every day. He knew what was happening in school, and even came for my tennis matches.

The kind of vision I have for menswear, men aren't ready to wear stuff that's so over the top!

Layering is the best way to express yourself through jewelry; each piece makes a statement, each piece has its story and if curated and layered well, it can enhance your look and make sure you stand out.

I can't be diplomatic or compromise or take crap from people, so I'd probably make an exit way before I even made a proper entry into Bollywood.

For me, three vacations is more value-for-money than a mandap with diamonds on it.

No crash diets work. I have tried everything, believe me.

When I started out, I was more focussed on being creative and wanting to do certain things I hadn't done before. That's great if you're doing fashion as a hobby. But when you want to sell out stores, you need to be very sure of the balance between commerce and art.

I can't wear a sari to save my life. So when I'm designing them, I know what I want: it definitely has to be lightweight and have pockets - girls have a lot to carry around, let's face it.

I just knew that there was a gap in the market for easy, comfortable garments that are neither luxury nor pret, but somewhere in between.

My cultural identity is obviously a huge part of my design aesthetic.

I think Calcutta is that kind of a market that if you are a Delhi or a Bombay designer, they feel they are being shortchanged and given stock that isn't fresh.

Calcutta is a very culturally-forward city. People encourage art, music, literature and I just feel like that's a city that looks for experiences over just retail.

I always wear at least five rings on my fingers - I have these knuckle rings I really like.

The power of Bollywood is undeniable. When a celebrity wears your clothes, it sells out - stars here can make you a household name.

I don't force reinvention. I play with silhouette and color, since Indian as well as Caribbean women have a penchant for these.

In our culture the idea of being fair-skinned is related to success. And we think that is the truth. Unfortunately, the beauty, fashion and Bollywood industry are to be blamed.

Mom and I are playing fictionalized characters of ourselves in 'Masaba Masaba.' The series is a slice of our lives, and reliving key moments, even though fictionalized, took me down memory lane.

I will act because I enjoy it.

I wanted to act since I was 14, but I was dissuaded by my mother for various reasons. She told me I would be stereotyped.

Homes are filled with who you are, as opposed to things.

Home is where I shed my skin.

I think a lot of magazine covers are heavily photoshopped and bodies are distorted to look a certain way.