CHENNAI: She's just 25 years old but has already established herself as a successful entrepreneur. Like anybody else, Vijayalakshmi Krishna too studied engineering and worked for a software company. But she decided to quit her job a year later to pursue the career of her dreams: to run a boutique. Step into Aavaranaa, an exclusive saree boutique, and you can find the creativity of the youngster. She runs and manages the store along with sister, Soorya Krishna.
Both Vijayalakshmi and Soorya wanted to start a boutique in Chennai like her mother's Coimbatore store, Aavaranaa. “My mom Gowri Parvathy helped us to start this boutique in Chennai. It was not easy. The response was slow and took time to settle,” says Vijayalakshmi. It’s been more than three years now and Aavaranaa is constantly experimenting with different designs and themes.
Soorya, who is two years younger to Vijayalakshmi, completed her designing course from NIFT. “We’re planning to introduce ready-to-wear garments for a gallery to be launched on ECR,” says Soorya.
“In these three years, I have met a lot of people and have learnt more through their experiences,” she adds.
'Let's revitalise story telling'
“When we were discussing what theme to introduce next, we got this idea of Swamy Kathai. We were looking at traditional values and how to impart it to the children. ‘Swamy Kathai’ is to revitalize the art of storytelling,” says Soorya. With a pictorial representation of extracts from various epics and traditional stories on handwoven sarees, ‘Swamy Kathai’ collection comprises of more than 10 stories. Today, children are more into video games, they don’t read Amar Chitra Katha. Through these theme sarees, mothers can explain the stories of Kannappan, Sita’s Swayamvar, Panchathanthra and more,” says Vijayalakshmi.
While the siblings have worked on designing the sarees, a team of painters in Kalahasthi did the entire collection. “We have a block printing unit in Chennai and also embroiders. My mom is happy that we’re doing well here. She was encouraging when we briefed her about the new collection. While we think more for younger people, the lines on which she thinks is different and that’s how we are able to cater to the needs of both younger and older women,” adds Vijayalakshmi.
Swami Kathai collection
The Swami Kathai collection starts from Rs 2,900 and Vijayalakshmi is planning to introduce it in salwars too. Aavaranaa also has a collection of Sloka sarees containing slokas like the Gayathri Mantra and other popular chants. The boutique specialises in fabric ranging from silks, tussars to georgettes, crepes and chiffons. Apart from sarees, Aavaranaa also houses salwars and embroidered blouses. Aavaranaa is at Alwarpet and targets self-employed professionals, young entrepreneurs and college goers
umakannan@epmltd.com