Lakme India Fashion Week 2003 :: Lina Tipnis

Lina Tipnis belongs to that band of designers that has steadily climbed the ladder of success with hard work and a disciplined business sense. Lina began her career by designing in 1987 for her retail outlet at the Oberoi, Mumbai.

She is quite honest about her background when she says,"I have had no formal training in designing. I am fortunate to have an inborn desire to create garments".

After having retailed for 5 years, the next logical step was wholesaling.

In 1992, her label sold Indian semi formal and fusion co-ordinates to select stores in India and abroad.

In 1997, she launched her label LINARIKA which is now sold in over 30 stores in India as well as the U.K., Southeast Africa and the Middle East. While the Indian semi-formals are marketed thru' these outlets, the fusion lines with a very international flavour are aimed at the European markets.
Today, the label has a loyal customer base amongst its target audience profile.

In 1997, Lina was invited to showcase her collection at one of the world's largest and most prestigious garment fair- CPD (Collection Premieren Dusseldorf) hosted by the IGEDO Company. Her collection received an overwhelming response.

Ever since, Lina has been successfully exporting her fusion lines to stores in Europe.

With the philosophy of 'less is more', her garments are essentially minimalistic ensembles that are modern and simple. Emphasis has always been on engineering and wearability. Working on natural fibres-has been Lina's forte.

The reason for her success? It's her capability of having her finger on the pulse of consumer's needs and her ability to compromise with the ever fluctuating trends of the highly volatile fashion industry.

Lina Tipnis has been exploring fusion couture for some seasons now, and has arrived at a look, which combines classic elegance with a soft sensuality.

Lina is also a consultant to the Raymond group for setting up of their designer stores selling prêt.

Lina has stabilized in the fashion business by moving into both genres of styling. That is her formula for success besides her marketing and promotional skills.
Lina began her career by designing in 1987 for her retail outlet at the Oberoi, Mumbai. After having retailed for 5 years, the next logical step was wholesaling. In 1992, her label sold Indian semi formal and fusion co-ordinates to select stores in India and abroad. In 1997, she launched her label Linarika that is now sold in over 30 stores in India as well as the U.K., Southeast Africa and the Middle East. In 1997, Lina was invited to showcase her collection at one of the world's largest and most prestigious garment fairs - CPD (Collection Premieren Dusseldorf) - hosted by the IGEDO Company. The fusion lines, which are available across Europe, are simultaneously sold in India through stores like Melange in Mumbai, Ffolio in Bangalore and Chennai, Ensemble and Kaaya in New Delhi and Elahe in Hyderabad. While her much in demand ethnic prêt lines are sold at Piramyd, KBN, Kala Niketan, Roop Kala, Eternia in Mumbai besides stores in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi, Chennai and Pune. Lina is also a consultant to the Raymond group for setting up of their designer stores selling prêt.

E-mail: lina_tipnis