Marquetta Manokaran has been selling Indian designer saris and costumes online for two years. 75794 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Alesha Capone
IF YOU want to know what is hot in the world of Indian fashion, ask Marquetta Manokaran.
The Point Cook fashionista began ‘Colours of India’ two years ago, an online business which sells saris and Indian costumes.
Ms Manokaran said there were a few stores in Melbourne selling Indian garments, mostly in Dandenong and Footscray, but many of the outfits were fairly expensive.
On one occasion, Ms Manokaran was looking for clothes to wear to a wedding with her sister-in-law, but could not find anything she liked.
This helped inspire her to begin Colours of India, from which people purchase clothes to wear to weddings, including bridal attire, and other special occasions, such as first birthdays.
“I do it online and it keeps costs down and at a minimum, so it’s affordable – I only work with designer wear, nothing else,” Ms Manokaran said.
Ms Manokaran said she enjoyed seeing the glamorous Indian clothing imported for her business.
“It’s like what Bollywood stars wear,” she said.
“Just all the new fashion, which is changing every week – which is why I don’t hold stock.”
Indian fashion trends change very quickly, so Ms Manokaran loads new clothing albums onto the Colours of India Facebook page every seven days.
“Especially over here, most of my clients are under 40, and they want what’s the newest and what they see Indian actors and actresses wearing on TV,” Ms Manokaran said.
The mother-of-two said the latest in-demand Indian clothing style was “lehenga style saris”.
“They have lots of net or lace on them, lots of embroidery or sequins and many different fabrics together, using three or four different materials in the same sari,” she said.
Ms Manokaran said she was not usually tempted to keep the beautiful garments she imports, as she has “a lot” in her wardrobe already.
“Before when we used to bring in a lot I’d take one or two, but now as I order specifically for clients,” she said.
“I think I’ve got enough now.”
For more information e-mail amanokaran@bigpond.com or see the ‘Colours of India’ Facebook page.
