‘We let each other be'
Nishka lulla
I have always been around my mother. I accompanied her everywhere. I didn’t even realise fashion had become my hobby. I enjoyed it a lot. I used to go for photoshoots.
As a kid, I started dressing up dolls, and gradually shifted to models. My mother is an idol for me. It’s awesome the way she stitches her creations. But I don’t want to follow her style. I want to design simple and prêt clothes which we can wear on a regular basis.
We have different labels. We don’t interfere in each other’s works.
I often show my creations to her and take her criticism in a healthy spirit. The collection I featured at lakme Fashion Week, was not shown to her. But when she saw her ramp, she was excited.
I don’t help her anyway. But if there is any shoot she cannot attend, I do it for her. I remember one tip from her and often keep that in mind. Respect your clothes and clothes will respect you.
‘She is my best critic’
Neeta lulla
Nishka was a diligent student. I think she could have opted for medicine as well, since my husband is a psychiatrist. But she once told me she hated blood and gore, and she wanted to join designing. She is essentially a vegetarian and I don’t think she could have done her best in that profession.
As a child, she used to accompany me at assignments. I never forced anything on her.
One interesting incident made me realise her potential. I was styling a famous Bengali actor and went to another room to pick something. Nishka, then five-years-old, went up to the actor and began shaping her sari. She did it pretty well. Both I and actor were surprised.
When she presented her collection at the last lakme Fashion Week, I was overwhelmed.
I am proud that she is a hard working soul. She gets up at 5’o clock in the morning and barely rests. I suggest things, but she takes the final call. I realised excess of spoon feeding hampers one’s capabilities to take decisions. Today Nishka has created her own niche. She consults me but I don’t tell her to do things. I intervene when required. She critics me, I ignore her. Her style statement is different. I want her to build her own legacy and not go by my name and work. To every mother, the daughter is most beautiful thing. She is your life, friend, critic and sometimes, your grandmother!
‘I owe my passion to her'
Samantha Kochhar
I used to travel with my mom during summer holidays. She would often brief me about latest hair and make-up trends. So my grooming started young.
At 11, she took me to America where she was to deliver a lecture.
During a session, she asked me to try it. I did successfully and trained myself professionally.
I think it’s natural for me to do what I do. I totally owe my passion in beauty to my mother. I understand I have to take my parents’ legacy forward. There’s a generational gap, I don’t want to fit into her shoes. I only want to walk by her side.
My mom is simple, humble, down to earth.
Due to workloads, I sometimes cancel meetings, but she would never say ‘no’ to anyone.
She was always available, be it for our driver or clients.
What I realised after working with her is that life is not just about money. It is about making others happy.
‘Samantha was a notorious kid'
Blossom Kochhar
She started going with me to assignments and lectures at an early age. As a kid, she was notorious. One Diwali, I gave money to buy crackers. But she spent it on something else. That day, I was not at my salon. She went there and started giving massages to customers and got money.
By the time I reached, she left. I got annoyed, but at the back of mind, I was impressed too.
By 13, she was a trained artist who started working early. After my husband passed away, she took over my company in 2011. Our turnover increased by 20 per cent.
She believes in packaging and has totally redesigned our products.
I think the biggest change Samantha has brought in products and the company is they look alive and fresh.
She has a business background and therefore, I have left business and technical stuff to her. As a make-up, hair and beauty stylist she enjoyed the privilege of working on prestigious assignments like Miss World 1996 Pageant, The Ricky Martin Show and The Jeremy Spencer Show. I can only guide her if it is required.
She has two lovely kids. We share great rapport.
By Karan Bhardwaj