The most important turning points for me are linked to the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The first was clearing the admission tests in 1999. For, when you are 16 years old it’s hard to predict where things are headed and one isn’t even sure about what one wants to do in life. However, I always knew I wanted to be part of the creative world. The second landmark was when I was adjudged the most creative designer of the batch at the end of my course at NIFT. It reinforced my belief that I had something in me to follow this path.

The next significant point in my life came at the end of my first year of striking out on my own. I was confused as to how to go ahead with my career. With no money in my pocket, I quit many jobs. Within two years I’d worked as a menswear designer with stalwarts like Manish Malhotra, Aki Narula and Hemant Trivedi at Sheetal Designs in Mumbai. After this I relocated to Delhi to work with Puja Nayyar and Ranna Gill. But it was in 2005 when I went solo that I got my big break by way of my first ever show at Delhi’s Olive Bar & Kitchen at its high-profile Med Mosaic nights. Only established designers were usually invited to show at this event. I was one of the first unknown designers to show there.

The other big turning point was when my collection made a debut on the ramps at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2007. My signature brand, ‘Nida for SKIN’, made it to the GenNext Designers category. They selected five designers from across the country and it felt great to be part of that group. Today, I have my uniquely independent style which is quite distinctive.

(As told to Arundhati Basu)