Thirteen-year-old Pune-based Prachi Badve will flaunt her expertise with design at the upcoming India Kids Fashion Week in Mumbai. At the age of three, Prachi saw Priyanka Chopra walk the ramp in a gorgeous gown. Since then, she knew that she wanted to design clothes. “When I was nine-years-old, I made a sketch of Priyanka’s Miss World gown with a few variations. Ever since, there has been no dropping of the pen or needle,” says Prachi.
Prachi juggles between school, tuition and designing. She says, “I work on my designs in the evening or night. My school faculty and friends are very supportive if I miss class for shows.” Prachi has also done a diploma at a fashion school in Pune.
Till date, Prachi has taken part in five fashion shows including the Pune Fashion Week and Kolkata Fashion Week. At the KFW, Prachi showcased a pre-bridal collection. Fashion designer Vikram Phadnis saw her collection at the PFW and recalls, “I saw glimpses of her work. As long as she continues to work hard, this girl will soar high.” Fashion designer, Nishka Lulla adds, “I am very fascinated by how a 13- year-old is working at multiple fashion weeks. People like us get jitters, so for Prachi, I think it is a very cool thing.” Nishka believes that it just gets better and bigger with every collection. “Just enjoy the ride,” she advises.
An experience from a past show that Prachi was reminded of was when a model refused to wear her designs. “I didn’t argue and told her that we could work sometime in the future. I like to be treated like any other designer and not a child designer,” says Prachi, who stands on a stool and directs the models.
Prachi’s father is a builder and her mom is an interior designer. “Mom is a huge support for me,” says Prachi. This young girl is out there with a mission. She says, “I want to change the perception that many parents have of dressing their little girls in frocks and frills. Girls should be allowed to wear something that they think will express their personality best.”
In the upcoming show, Prachi’s collection will be a fusion of Indian and Western designs. She predominantly works with velvet, jamevar, chanderi, brocade and net materials, with Swarovski embroidery. “I use bright and bold colours like yellow, purple, blue and red in my merchandise,” she says. Prachi thinks of multiple themes for a show. She adds, “I then settle for a theme that describes me best.”
Manish Malhotra is a designer Prachi is very inspired by. “His work has changed the look of fashion and is an epitome of elegance,” she says.