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Designer Dreams for Nova Krishnan

City Times spoke to Dubai-based designer Nova Krishnan about her love for fashion, her Miss India days and her short stint in movies

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Dubai based model-turned-designer Nova Krishnan recently unveiled her new collection, Haya, inspired by Indian and Arabic designs in the city.

The former beauty queen’s collection aims to make a woman feel confident, sensual and exceptionally elegant with a modern approach.

Nova’s passion for designing started at an early age, as she loved every form of art and design. Later on with a degree in Interior Designing and a successful modelling career, she found her true calling to design clothes for men and women. Encouraged by her family, she opened her studio in Dubai in 2010. Before that, Nova had dabbled a bit in South Indian movies and acted alongside Mammooty, Mohanlal and Dilip.

She tells City Times that her collection has a bit of embroidery, beads and mirror work, and hence you only need minimum or no jewellery to enhance the outfit. “Long elegant flowing skirt in bright colours make Indian wear more exotic and easy to wear. Team it with a jacket or a tube top and there you have a style diva right in front of you.”

Tell us about yourself and your connection with Dubai?

I have a degree in Interior Designing and had a successful modelling career; I was born and brought up in Dubai so it’s like home to me. The city has undergone a lot of changes over the years and being a part of it makes me feel closer to Dubai. I have studied here, made friends here, and being in their midst just make me feel like I’m home.

What is your latest venture and how did it come about?

I was initially into architecture but moved into fashion out of passion. I have been modelling for about 12 years now and thought there was nothing better than the world of fashion and designing. I love my job; I eat fashion, sleep fashion and given a choice I’d be in the fashion world 24/7!

How did you come up with the name Haya for your collection?

My collection has a very medieval look and feel to it and the name Haya suits it. I generally name my collection after I have designed it, so from medieval I broadened into Indian fabric and material that has Arabic roots to it. Haya means shy, modest and delicate in Arabic and Urdu. And the collection reflects the name well.

Keeping summer in mind, what fashion advice do you have for us?

For work attire, my best advice is to stick to basics. Loose fitted shirts with high waist pants or skirts. These are breathable, comfortable and I would suggest wearing something that combines corporate look with easygoing outfits. Light colours are always recommended. Bring out shades of mauve, yellow and baby blue as they are more in now.

You have dabbled in South Indian movies as well.

I started my career when I was fifteen by doing a Malayalam movie with Mamooty. I was studying at that time. I moved onto beauty pageants after that. Following which I did more Malayalam movies with Mohanlaal, Dilip and Mammooty. It was for a really short phase, primarily because all these movies were shot in Dubai. That’s the main reason I pursued it.

How was your Miss India experience?

I participated in the year 2007 and I have done a whole lot of pageants before that. It was an amazing experience. It’s a great platform to meet new people, get noticed and be in the limelight.

Who inspires you in the designing world and what do you think of Dubai’s fashion community?

My favourite designers are Zac Posen and Naeem Khan. Talking about the fashion scene in the region, from a broad perspective, it has changed drastically from how it was four years ago. It is encouraging more new talents. Local designers don’t need to follow the typical local guidelines anymore. The Dubai fashion community has opened itself to the international fashion market.