Designer Rimi Nayak has always believed that slow and steady wins the race. Most of her me-time is spent at her desk, sketching, playing with colours and listening to podcasts. Not a part of the usual rat pack, a certain quietude has helped Rimi focus on her growth, along with that of her label, which is over a decade old.
This year, Rimi tried a variety of firsts. She will soon unveil her maiden swimwear edit, a colourful and effortlessly feminine line. “Swimwear has been on my mind for a long time because it’s such a natural extension of our resortwear identity. Whenever I designed kaftans and cover-ups, I always imagined how beautifully they would complement swimwear. It finally felt like the right time to bring that vision to life. We’ve created resort-ready separates that often doubled as poolside looks, but this is the first time we’ve designed a focused swimwear capsule under the label. We spent a lot of time studying fabrics and sourced the best options that are comfortable, body-flattering, and quick-drying. I’m truly excited to introduce this new category to our clients,” she smiled.
For the first collection, Rimi has gone for “timeless silhouettes” like bikinis, monokinis, and coordinated cover-ups. “The focus is on comfort, versatility, and body-positivity, keeping the Indian body type in mind. Each style is designed to transition seamlessly from lounging by the pool to a beachside brunch,” she said.
The last few years have seen Rimi step on the accelerator, but always lived by the one-step-at-a-time mantra. “Our expansion has always been organic — rooted in lifestyle. Resortwear today is more than just beachwear; it’s about effortless elegance for holidays, destination weddings, and even chic city evenings. By adding swimwear, celebration-wear, and statement evening pieces, we now offer our clients a complete wardrobe for special occasions in scenic destinations. Alongside category expansion, we’re also focusing on global markets, as resortwear is in increasing demand worldwide,” she said.
Talking of global markets, Rimi has had showcases at several international destinations over the years, but taking part in Coterie, ‘a global event for advanced contemporary and high-end fashion’, held in New York, last year, was a big leap of faith. “Last year, Coterie was a valuable learning curve. It showed me that global presence is not just about visibility, but about truly understanding buyer expectations. Observing reactions and listening to feedback gave us a clearer sense of the US market’s pulse, which directly informed this season’s collection. Beyond design, the experience highlighted how vital the operational aspects are — tight timelines, export compliances, and post-show communication matter as much as creativity. It taught me that preparation must be holistic, from pricing and production planning to anticipating buyer needs. Above all, it strengthened my belief that adaptability and foresight are key to building a lasting global presence,” she looked back.
Rimi was back in New York this time again, and she travelled with her summer 2026 collection, Palm Paradise. “Palm Paradise is rooted in the textures and hues of the tropics. It brings together vibrant prints and delicate hand-embroideries featuring lush palm fronds, coconut trees, ripe pineapples, and whimsical sea creatures —reimagined with a contemporary lens. The result is a playful yet sophisticated narrative of resort wear,” she said.
A wide range of silhouettes, like fluid kaftans, breezy maxi dresses, structured linen co-ords, free-spirited shirts, swimsuits, and sheer overlays that “transition seamlessly from poolside lounging to sunset cocktails”, make up the range. They are all crafted from soft, breathable fabrics like cotton-linen, crepe, georgette, and satin, ensuring ease and comfort “while maintaining an elevated aesthetic”.
“It captures the carefree spirit of summer and the allure of exotic destinations. This collection celebrates the joy of travel, the beauty of nature, and the essence of barefoot luxury,” smiled Rimi.
She also designed her first bridalwear collection that included the challenge of dressing up a whole family, an experience that taught her “patience, precision, and the beauty of collaborative artistry”. “Bridalwear wasn’t really a planned venture. It began when a very dear client in the USA approached me to design her daughter’s entire wedding wardrobe. It was my first time creating bridalwear, but it turned into a deeply fulfilling journey. The challenge lay in balancing our signature modern, minimal aesthetic with the grandeur expected from bridalwear. We designed outfits for every wedding celebration, including a Catholic wedding gown. The experience was enriching, and the appreciation we received inspired me to formally start a celebration-wear line.
I realised that bridalwear is as much about listening as it is about designing. Every bride comes with her own vision, and our role is to translate that into something meaningful while staying true to the brand’s DNA. It is also an emotional experience to create pieces that will forever be part of someone’s life’s most important day,” she smiled.
With the vibrant holiday season upon us, Rimi picked her draped dresses with signature prints and embellished detailing for evening soirees and cotton, linen dresses and co-ords with delicate embroidery for the daytime. Kaftans and flowy resort dresses are essentials. “They’re light to pack and instantly elevate any holiday look,” she said.
