Nupur Sanon debuts in the world of fashion with her own clothing brand, NOBO – No Boundaries. The actor-singer launched the brand's website surrounded by family and friends at the brand's star-studded launch held in Mumbai.
Exuding free-spirited elegance with a touch of quirkiness, Nupur, in an exclusive chat with News18, spoke about co-founding NOBO-No Boundaries with her mother, Geeta Sanon, Kriti as her guinea pig model and why you shouldn't expect no woman to do it. fit into a fashion “type.”
As a size-inclusive brand, Nupur wants women to feel free when exploring NOBO's varied styles. With a vision of one day having multiple stores catering to women who believe in No Boundaries, Nupur is ready to take you on a fashion journey, point by point.
Congratulations!! What encouraged and inspired you to embark on the world of fashion?
Thank you. I think she was always there in me. Also, a lot of my inspiration comes from my mother. She is the co-founder of this brand. It all started when my mother wanted to found an Indian label and I wanted to create a Western, bohemian and unusual space. So, we decided to create a brand that offers both under one roof.
Before me, I feel like this was my mother's dream. If you don't teach [Geeta Sanon is an associate professor and has a PhD in Physics], I would have imagined my mother in the fashion field. So I feel that this step has revived her creative mind.
When I was a little girl, my mom had a sewing machine at home and she made us clothes. When we were in school and college, we used to show my mom an actress in a cool dress in a photo and mom used to make the exact outfit for us.
So, have there been any instances in your childhood when you and Kriti ended up wearing the same outfit?
We would both make a conscious decision when choosing clothes. For example, if Kriti has selected a Kareena Kapoor outfit, I would make sure to choose Preity Zinta's. However, since I am five years younger than her, there have been many instances where I have worn her clothes. We have this very funny photo, where Kriti is on my dad's lap and she is very happy and wearing a very cute sweater. Let's see a few years later, I have the same photo with dad wearing the same sweater but I'm crying. [laughs].
Kriti Sanon is known for her unique style on and off screen. Did she share any advice?
Kriti has been my guinea pig model. We've both done this for each other. I remember when he launched his skincare brand, Hyphen, probably every range, whether it's the acne range, I've tried and tested. No one's sister is as excited to see their sister get a pimple as mine is. She'll say, 'Oh, you've got acne, now it's time to try my acne range.' So, she had a lot of favors that she needed to take away from him. So every time I brought her a sample of a new design, she would try it on and give me suggestions. I admire Kriti because she has a great fashion sense.
What does NOBO mean to you as an entrepreneur and as an individual who has an impeccable style quotient?
Growing up I had a different sense of fashion. I was someone who didn't shop in malls when I traveled to different countries. I would search local boutiques and find something out of the ordinary, something I knew no one else would have. That would excite me. And at the same time, I would also be that person who would like to go and get a beautiful Banarasi saree from my mom's wardrobe.
So when people asked me what my type was? What kind of clothes do I like? I didn't really have a type. I liked it all. I felt that there are many women like me who don't have a certain type of fashion. And I don't want women to fit into this category of 'Oh, she wears desi' or 'Oh, she wears Western.' There are many of us who want to wear whatever we want. So when people visit our website, I want them to feel free…
Size inclusivity is the brand's USP, how have you explored it in the designs?
At NOBO, in addition to the standard size chart, we have also introduced custom sizes.
Every woman has a different body type. And no woman should be expected to fit into the standard measurement. Honestly, just because it makes a brand's job easier, everyone puts up that standard size chart. Not everyone wants to give personalized measurements. I don't think brands understand that no one has a perfect shape. So let's not set limits.
The brand's launch edition collection was a preview of a world without limits. For the launch edition, Nupur experimented with denim, Banaras brocades, crochet, macramé and appliqués displayed creatively for guests to explore. So whether you're enjoying a nice dinner at the office, attending a holiday or wedding, on a beach vacation, or heading to the airport, there's something for everyone under the NOBO roof.
Excited to share NOBO with the world, in a parting note, Nupur expresses how happy it would make her if people saw the clothes for what they were and not because of who made them.
