She’s been in the business of fashion for a little under twenty years now but Sonya Battla is one rare designer who remains untouched by the wave of commercialism that has swept through the country. She remains true to her design sensibility, committed to her ethos of simplicity and modernism. Sonya is also someone with deep respect for craft, her installation at the Mohatta Palace exhibition, A Flower from Every Meadow bears testament to that. Here she talks to Instep about design perfection and being the first designer on the Lala Textiles’ Signature Series …

1. You’ve set up a magnificent installation at the Mohatta Palace as part of A Flower from Every Meadow exhibition. Why do you think it’s important to invest time, effort and money in reviving craft when most of the world is busy investing in fast fashion?

Sonya Battla: Thank you for the compliment. To me the future of fashion is craft. Hand made is special in many ways, over the years I have tried to stay committed to it.

2. You are the first designer in Lala Textile’s signature series, lawn being a prime example of fast and commercial fashion. How do you strike a balance?

SB: A company has many facets and clients, and caters to many customers.

3. Your standalone boutique is exquisite but your high street brand, Kaju, doesn’t always fall under your design ethos. Do you feel you’ve had to let go of your usual perfectionism to cater to the masses?

SB: ‘Kaju’ – Sonya Battla has more variety as demanded by various customers. It is a DMC specific.

4. You’re a designer very committed to your city, Karachi, and you have designed several collections to honour it. Is this why you have never shown the PFDC fashion weeks in Lahore?

SB: No, not at all, I am a Pakistani and from Hunza to Turbat, I consider it all mine. It is just a coincidence.

5. Do you feel you’re a Karachi-specific designer or have you achieved popularity in Lahore and other cities too?

SB: I am an international designer. In the age of the net, ‘Design’ is no longer manufacture-origin based, as I am sure you know. I sell in major capitals all over the world, not just Lahore and Islamabad.

6. You are a perfectionist but do you feel it pays to be a perfectionist in this day and age?

SB: That’s an inner choice. You’re DNA’d a certain way.

7. Tell us a little about the Lala Signature series…what is the philosophy behind the designs. Do you feel Pakistan has over-dosed on designer lawn?

SB: I kept it light, simple and romantic, different from the busy prints. Let’s see how people respond.