Top Pick

Rajesh Dhakhwa

Founder & Head Designer, RD Chaahat Boutique

The Founder and Head Designer of RD Chaahat Boutique, Rajesh Dhakhwa is also involved in a few social initiatives. He is the President of Sahayogi Paila, a social organisation that believes in working for the community and helping those in need. Specialised in colour combination and pattern-making from the Selegia Institute of Art and Design, Singapore, Dhakhwa opened his business in 1997 and has participated in various workshops at Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo. Dhakhwa has also been awarded the Best Designer of the Year during the Fashion Parade in 1997. He says that he has always been passionate about the fashion industry since a young age and now wants to help Nepali fashion get international recognition. “I also want to globalise my brand and enter the international fashion market to share my passion with people worldwide.” In this edition of Business 360, Dhakhwa shares his list of favourite brands, and what he has learned from some of them.

Top 4 apps that you use the most

YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other designing apps.

3 destinations within Nepal you want to travel to

Kala Patthar Annapurna Base Camp Khaptad

A startup business that you think will ace later

Businesses that work on fusion designs of Nepali and Western cultures

An entrepreneur who inspires you

I was inspired by Gianni Versace to get into fashion.

A non-profit you want to contribute to

Heartbeat Nepal is an organisation I have been supporting.

Your top 3 fashion designers

Gianni Versace Yohji Yamamoto Manish Malhotra

How do you think we can support local businesses?

We need to support local businesses by first recognising their efforts. Everybody should get involved in promoting local businesses around us. And there has to be awareness to use domestic products and raw materials.

If you could change ONE thing about the present entrepreneurial scene in Nepal, what would that be?

Everyone should get equal opportunity to succeed.

3 things patrons can do to promote local businesses

Talk and share about the local businesses you support, encourage to interact with such businesses, and post on social media regarding the importance of supporting local products.

Three Nepali designers you admire

Basna Chettri, Sarita Tuladhar and Prabal Gurung

Three must-haves for the perfect corporate look

Pencil skirts/formal pants, well-fitted blazers, and a white shirt.

The biggest fashion trends for 2022

Clothes of masculine silhouette on women/feminine bodies and slim fitted pants and blazers on men.

Colours that will dominate the fashion scene this year

Earthy colours like rust, navy, sage, turmeric, browns, and other neutrals for men, and pastels for women.

Three qualities a good designer must possess

Creativity, open-minded, passionate and dedicated.

Your thoughts on fast fashion and environment sustainability

Fast fashion should be discouraged. People should start thinking about the environment while purchasing clothes or accessories, and look for timeless pieces rather than what is in 'trend' at the moment. Trends start and end in a flash. Thus, we should buy fashion pieces that will last for more than a season. READ ALSO:

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