O Womaniya : This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul
By Tarry
Hi Lovelies…
Sometimes in your life, you meet
people who not only leave a mark on you, but also, make you get that feeling of
fulfillment. As a journalist, I had a lot of
fulfilling moments when I met people from different spheres of life.
With the same zeal and seeking
similar fulfillment, I started off O Womaniya on the blog. Have been meeting new people,
whose stories are interesting.
But today on O Womaniya, I feel
proud to be featuring someone, who has an inspiring story behind her.
Raise your hands for this week’s
O Womaniya,
Leesha Arora of Gilaaf…
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
Tell us something about yourself?
“I am a Master's in Fashion
and Textiles, Nottingham Trent University (UK) done through
Pearl Academy of Fashion, New Delhi. A textile graduate from
Niift, Mohali, my love for fashion and textiles also took me to the finest
school of fashion and design in Italy and I ended up doing a summer course in
Advance Textiles from NABA, Milan, Italy. I grew up in a typical joint family
of North India. I managed to keep up with my dreams and pursued designing
and am the only Business Woman in the white collared job profiled family. A
typical Leo, fierce and strong willed and
yet mysteriously lost in my own world. Day Dreaming is
my wanderlust and my love for travelling has just begun.”
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
How did Gilaaf happen and why
the name?
“After passing out from a premier institute of
India, I immediately got placed into an export house as a Textile
designer and then worked for 2.5 years
into different designing fields to explore my
best potential. I decided to do Master's because I always felt
there was a scope of education still to be attained and then on a hot summer
after noon in Milan, Italy as I made a few samples for my college
project Gilaaf happened. My family originally hails from Multan,
Pakistan and my Grand father had come here during the partition, I was always
so inspired by his stories and the way he
wrote everything in Urdu, as a kid I would imitate his
Urdu scripts. I always wanted to do something special for him as
he is no longer on this earthy world, but still in my heart, so the idea was to
keep a name which would sound uncannily elegant, catch attention and yet be
rooted to Urdu and be a tribute to my ' Lalaji ' and hence Gilaaf it was.”
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
What all is retailed through
Gilaaf?
“Gilaaf means covers and we had
started with all sorts of Storage which are Eco- friendly and Moth free at the
same time for Apparels and Accessories. But as India is a very complex market
to be understood and people were not adapting the things well, supporting
things like accessories, jewelry added up. The next level launched the
happiness of colors and essence of Indian-ness and Scarves it was.”
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
What has been the journey like,
so far?
“The happiness you get when your
2 years old niece won't take off your hair accessory from
her head. a girl who brings along her Mother to show her who hand made the
Accessory she just purchased. Your Baby sister wears all your stuff and markets
your brand all around her friend circle. An aunt who is the first one to like,
share and comment on your post. A brother and a friend circle who sit with you
all night and help in work just before the exhibition whenever you
ask for help and waking up to all the amazing messages people send just
to appreciate the work you have been doing. Sounds
awesome doesn't it ?”
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
What has been the happiest and
most memorable moment with Gilaaf?
“There have been two
very special moments, As I had started Gilaaf I
was exhibiting in Faridabad and it was my convocation at Pearl
Academy, though I had planned a lot of things but a situation arrived and I had
to choose between my business and convocation, I chose my business
and by the evening the sales were also not so hiked that I was low
and regretting my decision when my childhood buddies came
in and made it a party scene, yelling sale-sale-sale attracting customers and
fixing everything right. Then I was exhibiting in Surat and I was not
on time for the production thing and as I do it all on my own I was way too
struck, so my brother and his gang of friends came in sat all night got their
hands bruised and still worked happily, helped me pack, dropped me to
my train, jumping out and then ran all the way behind the train showering
flying kisses and yelling goodbyes to me and all the people they could see
till the train caught speed.”
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
Any hiccups in the journey and
how you overcame them?
“My Mother is right now my
biggest hiccup in the whole journey and it is still not
resolved. She being a job person never supported my decision of being
an entrepreneur. Yes she praises me and shows me off her pear groups but
inside she is the typical Indian woman, who feels a girl is best in a secured
job. I know one day she'll be really proud of me and that day is not too far
away.”
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
What are your future plans for
Gilaaf.
“With all my life experience of
26 years, I have personally gone through girl child discrimination. Though
I am very blessed to have a Father who always supported me right
through no matter what. Gilaaf plans to set up a women's only production house,
empowering the rural women in the outskirts of India. We are in terms of
working with an NGO which is bringing forward a Fashion School
for underprivileged girls and women. And Lastly Gilaaf plans for a
very organic and moth free future for the most amazing Indian Royal Heritage
Attires which need the most special storage ever been made.”
Indian Lifestyle Blog Panchtatva the essence of Life / This woman's Gilaaf not just covers your body, but also your soul |
PEL SHOUTS : You are a beautiful
girl Leesha, and your smile has that zeal to do something and reach out for the
stars. I have seen the collection of Gilaaf and I must admit that the concept
and the work is indeed worth a checkout for sure. Leesha’s Gilaaf is not only
giving a moth-free cover to our cherished clothes, but also a cover to the
lives of many girls will be associated with Gilaaf’s endevours. Kudos to you
Leesha..
Gilaaf’s collection can be
checked out at :
Indian Roots : http://www.indianroots.in/brands/e-l/gilaaf
Olivetag : www.olivetag.com/gilaaf.html
Instagram : http://instagram.com/gilaaf
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/gilaafproductdesign
How did you like this feature?
Are you also involved in any such initiatives or know anyone and would like them to feature?
Do write in the comments box below with your mail id or connect at panchtatva.essenceoflife@gmail.com...
Thanks a lot for introducing O Womaniya Tarry..<3
ReplyDeleteAnd Leesha.. Your mom will definitely be super proud of you soon!! All the best for your journey.
Heya Lancy :) Yes even I am hoping that soon :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you Leesha, I do hope your mom will support you wholeheartedly soon. :) Unfortunately gender discrimination still exists, I am glad your father is very appreciative. It is the rest of the clan that cannot stop meddling in others lives.
ReplyDeleteHey Esha, I am praying for that day, each day :) and I so know about it, I still deal with it but then God has made Dads for Daughters I suppose, I wish someday I could tell how my Papa has been the best father any girl could ever ask for, it just feels I am immensely blessed ^_^
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful designs Leesha, your work is awesome, keep rocking it (y)
ReplyDeleteAnd indeed you doing a brilliant job Leesha :D lots of love and good wishes
ReplyDelete