She has dressed many a celebrity with her first label Issa, including the Duchess of Cambridge, Jennifer Lopez and Madonna. After a few years break, London-based designer Daniella Helayel is back with a new label called Dhela. t2 chatted with the London-based designer over e-mail on the eve of her fashion foray in India with a Koovs collaboration called Daniella Helayel X KOOVS. The collection launches on May 20. 

Welcome back! How does it feel to take the drawing board again?
It feels great! I am back where I belong and I feel extremely happy. I’ve just realised how much I had missed when I started designing again. It feels so good to be back.... I’ve been working non-stop and spending a lot of time in Asia between Hong Kong and China. I also visited Tokyo where we just opened our first Dhela shop and it looks amazing. 

How are Dhela and Issa different as well as similar? What do you miss about Issa the most? 
Issa… it is still my style and design DNA, but at the same time it is an evolution and the next step. With Dhela, I’m very interested in developing knitwear styles and working with technology that didn’t exist whilst I was at Issa. My design philosophy when I founded Issa in 2001 was to create well-cut, timeless clothes that would empower women and make them feel confident in their own skin. This has never changed and never will. 

I design for women to feel the best version of themselves; to look glamorous, beautiful and elegant while being able to get on with their lives, whether they be businesswomen, mothers or dressing for a party. Both brands focus on beautiful, flattering shapes, gorgeous colours, lots of prints and bringing a bit of easy elegance to women’s wardrobes. Dhela is very much about who I am right now. 

Tell us about your collaboration with Koovs. Will this be your first foray into the Indian market?
Yes, it is! The Koovs collection is made of my all-time favourite shapes created through my career. They are my favourite dresses and they are timeless, seasonless and ageless. They have been worn by people like Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, Alessandra Ambrosio, the Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez to name a few.

What can we expect from the collection?
The shapes are classics and they could have been worn by Marilyn Monroe and the old divas as well as the cool, ‘it’ girls right now. They are made to make the girls feel special and embrace their figures. The prints are quite playful and they are the lips and kisses and the butterfly wings and cloves for good luck. The colours are strong but we also have a lot of black and white. It has cute cotton dresses in playful prints as well and beautiful gowns for black ties and special occasions. Everything to make a girl find her enchanted prince and fall in love with!

CELEBRITIES IN DANIELLA... 

 

What makes you feel like a princess?
To respect yourself and treat others with respect. Treat people kindly and always be gentle and polite. Having real manners is how you feel like a real princess.

What is your take on the fashion scene in India?
I think Indian women are the best dressed and most graceful and elegant women in the world. They play with colours and fabrics like no one else. I love colours and the Indian women know how to wear colours better than anyone I know. The Rajasthani women are the most elegant women in the world. They wrap themselves in their saris and mix colours like no one.

Do you have any favourite elements from Indian fashion, like maybe a sari?
I do use Indian fabrics.... Yellows, blues, greens and pinks. I’m fascinated! I love the strong, bright colours of gemstones and so I’m always inspired by the colours of India. They are always on my mood boards.

Who is your favourite Indian designer?
Naeem Khan.

What’s your message for every girl out there who has to face so much body shaming?
Curves are beautiful and should be embraced. I love voluptuous and healthy women. Look at the pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Ava Gardner. They were curvy and gorgeous.

Daniella’s favourite summer things…
Colour: White, blue and pink.
Silhouette: A-lines and nothing too tight.
Print: Every kind! Prints are happy and I love happy clothes.
A day look: Long maxi dress with flats and a pair of sunglasses.
An evening look: Long dresses with shimmery metallic yarn and high heels.

Saionee Chakraborty