Fashion designer, professor and beauty pageant guru Hemant Trevedi talks to First Look about his career milestones.

Hemant Trevedi trained at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York before returning to India back in 1979. Trevedi says, “I came into the fashion scene in this country when the industry was barely getting started – be it in terms of design knowledge or exposure, there was no structure.” Here, Trevedi who has been a design professor at Mumbai’s S.N.D.T University takes First Look through his journey.

FL: Recently, Purple Style Labs (PSL) secured all rights in the ‘Hemant Trevedi’ label. Could you tell us about the acquisition?

It all happened amidst the pandemic, when I was at a rather uncertain stage in my life. As I was approached by the founder and CEO of PSL, Abhishek Agarwal, to have me on board, it truly felt like a ray of hope. The fact that PSL has given me the opportunity and autonomy to launch my own label and channel my creativity in the best way possible makes me feel blessed.

FL: You have been an artistic director to the Femina Miss India pageants. What are the tricks of the trade?

I was fortunate enough to have been appointed as the artistic director, by the late director, Pradeep Guha, to choreograph the Miss India pageant. All I expected from a chosen delegate who was representing India, to be a beautiful young woman who is proud of her land and intelligent enough to know what is happening to her surroundings and her country.

FL : You have been in charge of the winning wardrobes of several former beauty queens including that of Miss World 1994 Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra. A special moment?

From the mid ’90s and the decade that followed after that, I possibly designed every single outfit for winners who represented India. Whether it was through the fold of a saree, the brilliance of Indian embroideries or even a modern take on a choli with a long skirt, I did it all. I remember my very first winner when Aishwarya won the Miss World crown. From her national outfit to her evening gown and press conference outfit, she relied on me for everything.

FL: How do you envision the growth of the brand under the nurturing of PSL?

With the right team at PSL handling the marketing and business aspects of my label, I will continue to create what I’m best known for – beautiful clothes for beautiful people, whatever their age, size or demeanor may be.

“For a decade from the mid-90s, I designed every single outfit for winners representing India.”

– HEMANT TREVEDI