How did you get into fashion? Did you always know you wanted a career in this industry?
I grew up in a family deeply rooted in fashion. My grandfather was a tailor, and my mother always had a strong passion for it. Growing up, I could see how excited she was in fashion. My uncle is also an incredible fashion photographer who shot campaigns for Yohji Yamamoto.
When I graduated, I knew that I could go the safe route, but I wanted to explore the creative arm. I could have been a doctor or a lawyer, but instead I interned for Condé Nast and ended up at Karla Otto.
Did you have any “pinch me” moments or career highlights? What did you learn from your experience in fashion?
One of my first accounts at Karla Otto was Celine, and this was when Phoebe Philo had just joined. I went from being an intern to PR assistant and that was my first real account. She was so iconic, she was doing something so different and I understood why people resonated with that. It was so unique and her vision was so singular. Learning how to do PR for a brand that had such a strong point of view was incredible.
I realized it’s better to stand out and embrace something different that isn’t following a trend or a crowd. That has always resonated with me and echoes in everything that I do. I think that from being on Real Housewives of New York City as the first Indian woman, I strive to be different and unique in my approach.
How did you get the idea for this business, OUSHQ?
I don’t know if this is the same for all cultures, but Indian fashion is deeply rooted in cultural tradition…weddings, birthday parties, you always dress in Indian fashion. The idea has lived in my mind because there isn’t anything that exists right now as a space and platform for Indian designers to showcase their work. If I want to buy it, I have to go back to India or have it sent from India, but the process is so antiquated. It’s not chic or modern. I wanted to build a place where these extremely talented designers are able to have a presence in the Western world.
How did you come up with the name, OUSHQ?
I thought about what I was going to name my kids since I can remember. Naming children and businesses are the hardest things in the world. I knew I wanted just one word, but that pressure was so immense. I was looking at names and words on Pinterest and I saw that in Arabic, it meant timeless. It’s so appropriate because fashion is timeless; it’s very much something where it circulates and it never really dies.