Designing Elegance!
Having styled Naomi Campbell and Uma Thurman, Rina Dhaka stands tall in the Indian fashion industry. Her creations today find place in the high streets of US, UK, Europe and Hong Kong.
Shivani Kapoor | March 2016 Issue | The Dollar Business
Rina Dhaka, Fashion DesignerA pioneer amongst designers and the czarina of Indian couture, Rina Dhaka needs no introduction. Known for her smart styling, she has won appreciation at home and across the globe for her creations. Name, fame and accolades – she's earned it all; today, she stands out in a crowded fashion market.
She thinks quick, talks smart and is upfront about her likes and dislikes. Talk to her and you would understand how occupied she is amidst maddening schedules of pre-show chaos and client meetings. The dynamic designer has successfully been delivering spectacular creations from the time when Indian fashion was in its infancy. Ask her how she balances her work and social life and pat comes the reply: “Oh, work ends at max about 8’o clock because workers don’t want to stay on. And if you want a social life, you have to get up very early, you sleep very little. That’s all it means.” With more than two decades in the industry, the versatile designer, best known for her theme collections has styled many known faces in Bollywood and abroad. A dreamer since her childhood, Rina lives life her own way. With her creations exported to US, Europe and Hong Kong, she is an inspiration for many budding designers in the country.
TDB: How is the label Rina Dhaka understood across the world and in India?
Rina Dhaka (RD): I don’t know about the difference between being understood as a label or not as such. I mean, they are clothes and are just worn. I guess if a customer wears our clothes, he understands the individuality, the design behind it.
TDB: In your opinion, where does the Indian fashion industry stand with respect to the global market? How is your label in particular taking India to the world?
RD: Frankly, I am not struck by the West or the world. What is important for me is business. As long as my clothes are in business, it doesn’t matter if I am designing for the international or the Indian market. I have a population of a billion in my country. Even if I get that target audience, I’m quite happy with the home territory. Having said this, yes we sell everywhere, including America, England, Europe, Hong Kong etc.
TDB: What kind of tax breaks and export incentives do you think should be given to players in the Indian fashion industry to help boost exports? 
RD: Earlier, we got a lot of export incentives, especially for the handlooms. For instance, we used to get duty drawbacks from the government for silk. I think a lot of these have been withdrawn now. So, maybe such incentives can be brought in for the sectors that need a revival.
TDB: What is women empowerment to you?
RD: I think human beings are meant to be equal and the struggle is for both – men and women. But one can empower women to be equal in knowledge and skills, to take on the challenges on the earth. That is what I would call as women empowerment.
to success.