Fashion's Green Revolution

Chennai-based designer Neesha Amrish brings ethical consciousness, sustainable living, and guilt-free fabric to the forefront with her fashion label Aeshaane, says Neeti Jaychander

- Neeti Jaychander

Neesha Amrish kick-started Aeshaane six years ago in her backyard in Chennai, with an aim to create awareness about animal-free fabric, a cause she felt for strongly. The entrepreneur terms her journey, of creating each handmade piece with love and sensibility, as fulfilling. The label that was born out of a one-table studio, is carried in several fashion houses in Europe, and several other fashion hotspots across the world. Over to the dynamic designer.

Why did you foray into design?

When I was five, I remember watching my grandmom stitch beautiful frocks for us. I was exposed to fabric early on in life, and learnt a lot about width, laces, embroidery, measurements, and the importance of colour. Subconsciously, that’s where my journey began. At one point, I harboured the desire to become a flight attendant. But I was met with a lot of resistance, especially from my father. My mantra has always been, ‘If you believe in yourself and your dreams, go for it. There is no stopping you!’ So, I flew for six years till I met the man of my dreams, got married, and that finally put my feet on the ground. My mother-in-law truly turned out to be a second mother. She recognised my talent for textiles and encouraged me to pursue a course in design. She handled the home while I studied hard, and was my accountant, mentor, and guide. When I inaugurated my first flaghsip store in Chennai, a cherished dream came true.

How has the experience been?