Anusha fulfils her design dream
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Anusha David
The recent launch of Gabriel Couture by Anusha David sees the PR professional at last fulfilling her dream of having her own couture label.
Fairytale bridals: Flowers and bouquets for the brides by Karen Nugawila and Joan Forbes, jewellery by Vogue and Mallika Hemachandra Jewellers, hair and make-up by Nadiya Fernando of the Wax Museum
Why Gabriel? “My father’s name was Gabriel and he was just the most amazing, magical person in my life. He would always say I could achieve anything I set my sights on and encouraged me in whatever I wanted to do, except climbing trees, riding bicycles, driving and going in the sun, which were taboo as far as a traditional Indian father was concerned. It’s only fitting that I name my dream after him!”
Anusha says she has always been passionate about the beautiful and exotic. “I have always adored clothes. As a little tot I never played with dolls; it was always animals for me and I had a myriad pets ranging from dogs, cats, a monkey, a goat, birds, etc, but I would spend hours creating what to a seven-year-old was couture clothing for my vast collection of paper dolls, something all little girls in the 1960s had an abundance of. I had boxes and boxes of paper dolls and their outfits which ranged from playwear to ball gowns and sarees. A good part of my day was devoted to designing clothes for my paper dolls and this continued till I was almost 15.”
Gabriel will be a couture label and each design will be unique, taking into account the client’s personality, the occasion, body shape and mindset, she assures. “I will not duplicate any design – bridals, evening wear, power suits, day wear, resort wear, Gabriel will cater to all of it with the best of bespoke clothing.”
Anusha hopes to have her first fashion show no sooner the pandemic abates. “My very first fashion show will feature a range of couture on the theme ‘Endangered Species’. I have already started designing and all proceeds will go towards animal welfare – my other passion,” she adds.