Actress and entrepreneur Malaika Arora is all set for her brand The Label Life's runway debut at the sixth instalment of Godrej L'Affaire, a luxury lifestyle platform by Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies. Talking to CNBC-TV18 about unveiling the Spring/Summer 2024 collection on the platform, she said, "When Godrej L'Affaire came to me about showcasing the collection on their runway, it felt like a perfect match. As an entrepreneur, there's nothing quite like seeing your creations come to life on a grand platform like this."
With over 50 brands joining hands with the platform, the event is scheduled to be held at Godrej's headquarters in Vikhroli, Mumbai on Friday, March 29. The Label Life will unveil its Spring/Summer 2024 collection, themed around the essence of picnic, party, and office styles.
Recalling the early stages of the brand, Malaika said, "It wasn't exactly planned, it emerged more like a character just begging to be written. Fashion has always been my playground. As an actress, I get to experiment with all sorts of styles, and that ignites a passion for creating pieces that would make other women feel confident and beautiful. The Label Life became a way to bridge that gap, to take my personal style off-screen and share it with the world. It's about empowering women to express themselves through fashion, just like I do on screen."
Like with establishing any brand, Malaika said her journey had been exciting but it wasn't without its hurdles.
"The fashion world is incredibly competitive, and carving out our own space took some strategic thinking. Initially, the biggest challenge was figuring out what truly set The Label Life apart. Even now, keeping things fresh is a constant pursuit."
Being a female in the business world also added to the challenges.
"For example, securing funding can involve navigating a complex landscape. While qualifications are paramount, presentations and proposals might be evaluated through a different lens for women entrepreneurs," Malaika said.
And did being a public figure help her establish the brand?
One big perk of being in the public eye, according to Malaika, was that people were familiar with her and her sense of style. "This initial recognition has helped get The Label Life noticed. It's like having a head start on building brand awareness." She stressed that the quality of the clothes and the hard work of the entire team have been paramount for the brand. But, she agrees that her being a public figure has been a positive influence.
