"WOMEN ARE NATURAL LEADERS"

In a Bazaar India exclusive, designer, businesswoman, and philanthropist Tory Burch discusses her new fragrance collection, the idea behind launching her eponymous brand, and the women who have inspired her.

- MEGHNA SHARMA

Harper’s Bazaar: Tory, your eponymous brand, is nearly two decades old. Tell us about how the Tory Burch woman has evolved since the brand’s inception?

Tory Burch: “I don’t think about a particular kind of woman when designing a collection—I think about all women, and how I can help them feel confident and beautiful. As I continue to evolve as a designer and as a person, I feel our patrons are evolving with me. I am taking more risks with colour, silhouettes, and layering, and I love seeing how our customer puts their own spin on the collection.”

HB: Congratulations on the launch of the Essence of Dreams collection, your new fragrance line...

TB: “India is an important market for us, and it holds a very special place for me personally. So I knew I wanted to bring our Essence of Dreams collection here as soon as possible. We spent nearly two years developing these perfumes. I knew I wanted to build a full collection—not just one scent—and that took some time. Fragrance is so personal, and I don’t see women wearing just one anymore; they are collecting scents to alternate, mix, and layer.”

HB: Were you actively involved in creating these scents?

TB: “Creating these fragrances was incredibly personal for me. I have lost count of how many versions we went through before landing on the perfect fragrances. We spent a lot of time thinking about the dreams and emotions each one would evoke.