Who would you deem an inspiration in your work?

I really admire John Galliano. The man doesn’t just create clothes; he comes up with artistic masterpieces. It’s really motivating to see just how creative people can be, and what they can do with the same tools you have. Of course, he’s not the only person I look up to—there’s also Karl Lagerfield, Jean Paul Gaultier and Manish Arora, all of whom design such beautiful clothes that are impossible not to be inspired by.

Who would you want to work with, given the choice?

It would have to be Angelina Jolie and Sonam Kapoor, for sure. They always manage to carry themselves so well in public and are such trendsetters. I’d also jump at the chance to design for Lady Gaga; she’s such a fashion icon, and so very original. If I had to pick from Nepali celebrities, I’ve always enjoyed working with Sahana Bajr-acharya and Namrata Shrestha. They’re both gorgeous and do justice to whatever they put on. I’d love to get to work with them again and again.

What do you like doing when you’re not working?

I generally just sit and flip through international fashion magazines like Bazaar and Vogue whenever I have some free time, to update myself on the latest trends in the fashion world. Other than that, I watch a lot of movies. But I’m not a big

fan of too serious films; I prefer watching Bollywood masala films.  

Any favourite actors?

I love watching Angelina Jolie’s work. She is a brilliant actor. I recently watched Ram-Leela and simply loved Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s work. The two are amongst the hottest and most ‘happening’ actors in Bollywood at the moment.

Do you travel around a lot?

I’m usually caught up with work and travel, mostly searching for fabrics. It is a great thing that I get to travel while working. I want to travel all around Nepal someday.  I have been to places like Chitwan, Pokhara and Ghandruk and would love visit Ghandruk again for sure. It is such a beautiful place and you get a splendid view of the Machapuchre from there. Getting there can be pretty hectic though; you have to walk one day to reach the village. Outside Nepal, Paris is my dream destination. I’d love to go there one day, see the people, breathe in their city and visit all of Paris’s brand boutiques.

Are you a foodie? What would be your last meal on earth?

The only thing that I cannot digest is fish. It is so difficult for me to eat that I avoid it completely. Other than that, I love eating and trying out different cuisines. I love Korean, Japanese and Italian dishes. A Nepali set would definitely be my last meal on earth. I can eat it anywhere and anytime.

Do you like to cook as well?

Yes, I love to. I somehow feel designers can be good cooks as well. My friends say I cook very good chicken gravy and daal.

Could you recall an embarrassing moment that happened on stage?

During fashion shows, the make-up artist often puts so much make-up on the models that no one realises how thick the layers really are. And since everyone is in a rush and I am looking to have things as perfect as possible on the runway I always fail to notice that I have a load of make-up on as well. It is only when I see the photos later that I realise this, and that is so embarrassing.

Is there anything you’d want to change about yourself?

I would love to be taller… 6” 1’ or so maybe.

What are your strengths?

I’m determined and hard working. I have seen my fair share of ups and downs in life but I do not give up easily. I always try to put in the effort to make things right again.

Any advice to those who want to make a career in fashion?

Hard work, good public relations and luck are three things that are always helpful whatever field you decide to get in. If you have all of these, then you’ll definitely make it big in the fashion world.

If not a fashion designer, what would you have become?

I would have become a chartered accountant. That is why I got a Bachelors in Commerce before I decided to study fashion. But I have no regrets at all. I love my work and have survived in the industry so far. I really get emotional when people text me saying they look up to me.

Upcoming plans?

I don’t really plan ahead and prefer going with the flow of things. I believe that all things happen for the better ultimately. If I were a planner then I would probably not have participated in Zoom’s reality TV show  Let’s Design. I would also probably not have created Rojisha’s gown, which won the silver medal in the preliminary evening gown competition at the Miss Earth pageant. I would like to keep working hard and having faith in the people around me.