Sunmeet Kaur Sawhney, winner of the Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) sixth season, is set to launch designer boutique — Firdesi Fashion — in New Delhi on Saturday and says it fulfils her lifelong dream.
Sawhney has chosen to start with ethnic fashion as it reflects her brand name Firdesi Fashion.
“While doing my fashion design course, which I had to quit due to personal reasons, I always wished to have a designer boutique. I admire Indian attire, especially Mughal and Punjabi clothes,” she said.
Sawhney became the first woman in India to win Rs50 million (Dh3 million) on the popular game show KBC. She is a Mumbai-based housewife originally from Chandigarh.
“I am using the skills I have with the name of Firdesi Fashion.”
The boutique, in partnership with Sawhney’s friends Kiran and Sunny, will be in Mehta Chowk, Shivaji Enclave. It specialises in women’s wear such as Anarkali suits, ethnic anarkali gowns and kaftans.
Sawhney’s family and friends live in Delhi, which is one of the reasons she is launching the boutique in the capital.
She used a fraction of the prize money to open up the boutique. She also a bought a flat in Mumbai with the money.
“Initially, we will be selling women’s wear. But we are not restricted only to that. I will be launching children and menswear with no age bar. The price range varies as per the fabrics used in the designs. The range starts from Rs5,000,” she said.
She doesn’t rule out the prospect of collaborating with big names in the future, but for the time being she will stick with her two friends.
‘Love and support’
“We are still evaluating the possibility of collaborating with famous designers, but not now. Soon we will introduce our accessories in collaboration with jewellers and other product companies. But in the initial stages, we are designing the products on our own,” she said.
After Delhi, her next stop will be Gurgaon and Mumbai.
“Gurgaon is next in line to bear the Firdesi Fashion footprints. We will be opening an outlet in Mumbai,” she said and added that they have yet to decide which one they will open first.
“I have plans to reach out to other countries too,” she said.
Sawhney said that her family was supportive of her decision to open the boutique and her husband has always been her mentor.
“My husband Manmeet Singh is a Bollywood actor. He appreciates my decision. My two daughters have risked their routine life to help me set up the boutique.”
She admits KBC has changed her life.
“I have received loads of love and support from the world, besides financial. People have started recognising me. ”
