Celebrating two decades of design prowess, Nandita Mahtani has made her mark in fashion, design, and jewellery. Known for her distinct style, she pioneered resort wear, cocktail attire, and couture in India. The Nandita Mahtani Label’s effortlessly chic designs have garnered a devoted following.
Her luxurious resort wear combines cutting-edge Indian embroideries with contemporary silhouettes. A member of the Fashion Design Council of India, Nandita’s influence extends globally. Styling A-list celebrities like Virat Kohli, Nandita has collaborated with brands such as Cartoon Network, Farah Khan Jewellery, and Mercedes. In 2022, she co-founded AN-Y1, merging luxury fashion with motorsports, launched at the Monaco Grand Prix. Her creative prowess also shines in interior design. Her impact on resort wear and couture resonates in the fashion world.
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
SP: Collaborations with celebrities have been a significant part of your brand’s identity. What has been your approach to working with high-profile clients and how has it impacted your brand’s visibility and success?
NM: We have collaborated with many celebrities and each of them have been a gem to work with. Our approach is a simple amalgamation of what the client wants and our designs. Once we know what the project is, we align our creativity with the client’s needs and desires which makes every piece even more unique.
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
SP: Your label is known for its chic and contemporary designs. How do you balance staying true to your design aesthetic while adapting to changing fashion trends?
NM: I believe in timeless elegance, and my designs reflect a commitment to style, femininity and grace. My clients still wear the clothes they bought from me from my very first collection, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than that. It’s about evolving without compromising the core values of sophistication and innovation.
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
SP: Your brand has gained recognition for its resort wear and celebrity collaborations. Can you discuss the inspiration and vision behind your resort collections?
NM: Travel is something that inspires me the most. The little details observed and explored during my adventures often end up being the base of a new collection.
The vision is to evoke timeless elegance that transcends the boundaries of fashion keeping in mind the urge to feel relaxed yet stylish.
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
SP: You started AN-Y1 with your sister Anu Hinduja. What was the inspiration behind the brand?
NM: When Anu, my sister and co-founder of AN-Y1 presented the concept, I instantly accepted her proposal. It was an exciting opportunity for me to step aside from my usual line of work. I am personally a Formula 1 enthusiast and follower, and working on leather jackets and jumpsuits was an exciting way to venture into athleisure and sportswear.
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
Identifying a gap in the market for motorsport ready-to-wear fashion, we wanted to create a retro brand with a modern twist which reflects the iconic heritage of motorsport trends that appeals to the F1 loving target audience.
AN-Y1 also collaborated with Gulf, reviving the legacy of the iconic brand. It is a tribute to its racing heritage aiming to breathe adventure and style with each piece wherever you go. While AN-Y1 is doing wonders in the UK, we do hope to soon launch the brand in India considering the growing audience watching and taking interest in motorsports.
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
SP: What is your vision for AN-Y1 for the future?
NM: Our vision is to be a globally recognised brand, and be a part of every fashion and sports enthusiast’s wardrobe.
SP: Fashion is often influenced by culture, history, and societal changes. How do these factors inform your design choices through your collections?
NM: My design choices are deeply rooted in the dynamic role of culture, history, and societal shifts. Cultural nuances guide my palette and patterns, history shapes silhouettes, and societal changes inspire innovation.
Photo courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
SP: What advice would you like to share for young and emerging fashion designers trying to experiment with different styles?
NM: Fashion is a love affair. You have to create styles that you believe in, and would love to wear. Beyond the traditional 9-5 routine, fashion is creative, and should have your heart and soul embedded into it. Collections, designs and outfits are a mere reflection of your hard work, passion and desirability to dress others. In whatever field of work you are in, give it your all, and you can’t go wrong.
Image Courtesy: Nandita Mahtani
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