Saloni

Designer name: Saloni Lodha
 
Origin: India. Saloni now lives between London and Mumbai.
 
Design background: Inspired by her experience in Hong Kong (2002), where she ran pop-up boutiques selling unique pieces designed in collaboration with artists, Saloni moved to London in 2004 to study at the Central Saint Martins summer course. Having fallen in love with London's creativity and energy, she moved here. The brand was founded in 2007, drawing subtly upon Saloni's heritage but with a more modern focus and romantic silhouette.
 
Career highlight: “I’m working towards it.”
 
Design signatures: “Delicate handcrafted accents, draping fabrics, hand-painted prints on easy to wear yet modern silhouettes.”
 
How would you describe the Saloni woman? “She has a free spirit, strong sense of style and seizes a feminine appeal without being too girly.”

Trademark piece: “The Alexia dress. It gets reincarnated every season in a new colour or a new print.”

Spring/summer 2012 inspirations: “Japonisme.”

What’s next for your brand? “Working with women’s organisations and artisan groups in India to create unique limited-edition products.”

Who are your design heroes? “Poiret and Vionnet.”

What’s your favourite cultural hotspot in the capital? “The museums in London.”

In five years’ time I will be… “Fresh, relevant, with a deeper, more evolved SALONI aesthetic built into the brand.”