FASHION
INTRODUCING MAYA AND KANYÄ LONDON
By Alice Doleman, 15 June 2022
Our second South Asian wedding collection has dropped on-site! ICYMI, we brought two incred South Asian-owned brands on board to bring their vision to this dreamy collection, ft. everything from anarkali dresses to silky dupattas and gorge sarees. So, what does it take to create your own label? We met Sahani, from Kanyä London, and Nick and Geeta, the duo behind Maya, to chat about their brands, how they stay inspired and what it’s like seeing your work on ASOS. Prepare to take notes (and fall in love with every single piece😍)
MEET SAHANI, FOUNDER OF KANYÄ LONDON
What made you want to start your own brand?
I've always loved fashion and generally being creative (nothing else really excited me in school🙄), so I knew I had to pursue it. The idea behind the brand came from wanting to create a community of, and create things for, South Asian girls who've grown up in the Western world and sometimes feel confused about their identity and like they don't belong anywhere.
How did Kanyä London go from an idea to a reality?
I started Kanyä at uni. At first it was more of a side hustle – I was selling through Insta and at pop-up events, but after I graduated I started taking it more seriously. I researched manufacturers, worked part-time to fund the brand and now four years on, here we are!
Where do you look for inspiration?
It’s always different – places I’ve travelled to, just being in different environments or even old films I used to watch as a kid. For example, my AW21 collection was inspired by the bold colours in Bollywood films from the 70s and 80s.
Kanya London Bridesmaid Lehenga crop top, £28, full flare frill skirt & dupatta scarf in pink, £85
Describe Kanyä London in three words?
Timeless, versatile and sleek.
What does your creative process look like?
I wish I could say it's straightforward but it really isn't – it’s quite hectic. But generally, I play around with modern silhouettes and see how I can fuse them with my South Asian heritage – the start of a collection is always, ALWAYS, an experimental process. It's based on whatever is inspiring me at the time.
How does it feel to be working with AND stocked on ASOS?
It still feels unreal. It's so great to see ASOS making space for the South Asian community – it feels like we're being embraced, and we got to learn so much in the process. I've loved every moment of this journey.
Manifesting time! Who would you looove to see in your clothes?
Obvs, we love seeing how beaut our customers look, but if I had to choose a celebrity... Well, it's hard to pick one. Probably Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran from Bridgerton, or Joy Crookes and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan from Never Have I Ever.
Maya embellished lehenga crop top, £40, and pink embellished dupatta, £25
MEET NICK AND GEETA, FOUNDERS OF MAYA
Where do you find your inspiration?
Our inspiration comes from the fab, colourful world of Bollywood, and the latest catwalks and designers from India. We love sprinkling that into our collections.
What made you want to develop this range for ASOS?
We know that lehenga collections are often pretty pricey, and we thought we'd be the perfect people to bring stylish, colourful and genuinely affordable South Asian pieces to the market.
What does your creative process look like?
We start by researching trends and then we work directly with our factories in India to ensure the products match our vision. Whether it's vibrant colours or beautiful beading, we know everyone wants to be on-trend, but also, *feel* fabulous for all the events they've got lined up.
Maya all over embellished lehenga crop top, £45, maxi skirt, £75, and dupatta, £30
What’s the best part of owning your own brand?
Making people feel amazing! Plus, we love that we can be reactive to fashion trends and current demands. It's important to be on top of what your customers want – we always aim to deliver what people ask for.
What does the future look like for Maya?
We're hoping to introduce more sustainable products to our next collections and would looove to work with even more interesting fabrics. Oh, and we’re still here to be your go-to for a gorgeous lehenga that doesn’t break the bank.
Describe your brand in three words?
Affordable, luxurious and accessible.
Maya embellished lehenga crop top, £40, maxi skirt, £60, and dupatta, £30
Consider your next big event sorted ✨ Check out more of the occasionwear on offer from both Maya and Kanyä London below! Plus, click here if you wanna dive deeper into the making of our South Asian wedding collection.
