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REKHA ANANTHANPILLAI
from November 2022 Issue
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"When you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life"!
Rekha
Ananthanpillai
The Founder of La' Agra.
Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do.
A. I am a business consultant turned fashion designer. Most recently I launched my label, La’ Agra. It is a line of women’s evening wear that draws inspiration from my Indian heritage.
Q. How did you come up with the name La Agra and what’s the meaning behind it?
A. Agra is a place in India that is the home to a lot of artisanal wear. My brand is about bringing those elements into modern day evening wear for women
Q. What motivated you to want to get in fashion?
A.I got into fashion in a very nontraditional way. I don’t have a fashion background but a business background. Fashion is something that has always excited me and so about a year ago I started this new journey. My work is all about celebrating my Indian heritage, while empowering the modern high fashion woman.
Q. Let’s talk about La’ Agra and how it got started.
A. It’s funny because I have always loved fashion. Growing up, I would give my parents a hard time getting dressed because I didn’t like the outfits, they put me in. I started my career working for other known labels in the industry but also spent many years working for a bank and professional services firm. When the pandemic hit, I started painting and coloring which is a hobby of mine, and I was reminded of how much I loved fashion, so I started taking a few design classes here and there and a year later my brand was born.
Q. How do you keep up with the trends in fashion?
A. Magazines, Instagram, and WGSN.
Q. Where do you see your career in the next five years?
A. Eventually I would love to open up a store and maybe even a restaurant. For me, it’s about creating a luxury experience when you wear a La’ Agra dress and that is what I want to deliver to my customers.
Q. What are your top 3 sellers right now?
A. Well, I officially launched 3 weeks ago, so right now I am focused on building out my client list and driving sales.
Q. Do you have any new projects and upcoming events?
A. I am doing a few pop-up shops in the Philly area but am looking to expand these events to NYC and Miami!
Q. Where can the readers follow you?
A. Follow me! @la.agra
