PAYAL.SINGHAL

Mumbai born designer Payal Singhal, a well-known Indian prodigy launched her namesake label at the age of 22 and became one of the fastest rising stars in the Indian Fashion Community.

Her family has a history of being involved in the creative field as her grandfather J. P. Singhal is a renowned artist and her father Dinesh Singhal owns a revolutionary brand label called "London Fashions." Growing up, Payal never assumed fashion would be an inevitable next step. But apparently it was!

After receiving her design degree with top honours from the prestigious SNDT University in Mumbai, Payal attended the Parsons School of Design, New York and did a course in Fashion Design.

She then went on to work with MTV as a stylist and dabbled in several design related projects (Mumbai). After launching her label and setting up base in Mumbai with her flagship store, Payal began to expand to other cities. Today, the 'Payal Singhal' label stocks with fashion houses like 'Simaaya' in Calcutta, 'Origins' in Hyderabad, 'Sanskrit' in Hong Kong, 'Designers Lounge' in Dubai, and 'Indomix' in New York.

Her name today is synonymous with trendy silhouettes, funky colour combinations and value - for money ensembles. Payal has dared to go where few others have ventured, introducing relatively unheard of concepts in an otherwise traditional Bridal apparel industry. International trends inspire her and she incorporates worldwide fashion into her Indian garments with seemingly great ease.

Payal's talent has been lauded by industry bigwigs likewise, she is a member on the advisory board for BD Somani institute of Art and Fashion Technology. Her name also features in the panel of "The Model Shoppe", a product of Star Talaash and Talwalkar's and recently a recipient of the "Rashtriya Gaurav Award" for outstanding achievements and contributions.

Landmark achievement for one so young. But there's a long way to go yet. Wear ability, versatility and comfort are Payal's forte. In addition to her innate creativity, Payal's use of various embroideries, palettes and fabrics address versatile lifestyles and modern sexuality conducive to urban city dwelling. Over the years, her collection has come to include a range that includes casual wear, formal wear and bridal wear.

Invited to the Singapore Fashion Festival to showcase her collection in 2003 and to the Fashion week of the Americas in 2004, Payal is ready to take on the international market. Thriving on the excitement and energy of New York, Payal opened her flagship store in Gramercy Park, New York last year.

The designer recently showed her latest collection at the SLAHAB Hair and Beauty Fair held in Colombo recently.