Shirin Mann Sangha 31 Founder, Needledust, Delhi www.needledust.com
When Shirin Mann Sangha was getting married, pairing one’s lehenga with stilettos was the norm. But Sangha, who was a journalist back then, went jutti shopping instead. Most of what she found was either too plain, boring or uncomfortable. So, she got a pair made for herself. In the process, she realised that jutti making was a dying craft. Soon after, in August 2014, Needledust was born.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
“Needledust breaks into two parts—needle and dust. A needle is used for embroideries and dust is derived from the fairy tale story when a fairy showers pixie dust to make something beautiful,” says Sangha, who currently retails juttis for women and children and will be launching a men’s line soon. She has also tied up with designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla and launched a luxury line.
CELEB CLIENTS
Today, the brand has several celebrities as clients. “Right from our launch, Sonam Kapoor has been someone we love and have designed for many times. Recently, we designed 150 pairs of juttis for Deepika Padukone for her mehendi gifting at Lake Como, Italy. We also did an exclusive pop up at Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jones’ wedding in Jodhpur. Their friends including Game of Thrones star, Sophie Turner wore the juttis at the wedding along with Priyanka,” she says. Actors such as
Alia Bhatt, Kangana Ranaut, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon and Sara Ali Khan have also been spotted in her creations.
PRICE `2,700 to `4,500 (for regular line), `5,500 to `8,000 (for Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla X Needledust collection)
BEST FOOT FORWARD
“The designs that we introduce are not accidental. A lot of thought goes into the type of prints and embroideries we choose so that they intersect with the taste of the modern woman,” says Neha. Celebrities that wear their creations include Sara Ali Khan, Kriti Sanon, Sonakshi Sinha, Malaika Arora Khan, Parineeti Chopra, Dia Mirza, Swara Bhaskar, Tabu and Soha Ali Khan. PRICE `1,800 to `3,000