About Lalaine Vellakat

The free-spirited She!

Her style defined her personality. In the 80’s flaunting her cottons (that was the only terminology known to her) now she can identify them as Maheshwari, Bagru, Bandhani, Linen, Ikat, to name a few.  Her wardrobe set her apart from the usual polyester that her community wore and was often regarded as someone from another community.

Her yearly visit to Khadi Bhandar during the 1st week of October to buy her cotton kurtas and fabric. The sale used to start on the 2nd of October, Gandhi Jayanti and used to go on till the end of the month. The discounts were good and the early bird got the best that was on offer. When you start earning, you are mindful of your expenditure and so Khadi Bhandar was the place to go; for good, comfortable, long-lasting clothing.

Her interest in jewellery was minimal.  She picked up the unusual, small finds from Kala Ghoda, the local artisans. Back then, it wasn’t as commercial as it is now. The Kala Ghoda circle had a few artisans who would travel there during that time of the year and sell their ware on the footpath. No stall, just a plastic sheet / paper and she would go on her knees to find the unusal. The feeling was like going to Bandra Fair in her childhood to buy toys. 

Gold, Diamonds didn’t charm her, until she met friends from the South and then rubbed it off onto the South Indian husband to buy her some, each time she visited his hometown; God’s Own Country. 

The Made in China wave swept the country. One had (rather still have) the option of wearing similar jewellery in all colours possible to match your outfit. It’s affordable, easily available (in local trains too), trendy and keeping up with the current fashion styles.  But for one who doesn’t follow the latest trends, Rustique is here. 

Her personal mantra: No to fashion trends. It’s her Personality. She thinks Differently. She is Different.  She loves the unusual route that life has to offer and tries not to confine to the standard norms.  She wished she could say ‘Wild’ but with Age comes Responsibilities.

Her credentials:

A Commerce Graduate with a Post-Graduate Degree in Law and Diploma in Business Administration.  Varied Administration and Managerial experience spanning 13 years in the Corporate Sector.