The Sky Is The Limit

Fashion designer Payal Pratap Singh designs contemporary-style garments with an Indian sensibility for women. She has recently launched her second label, till date—Umbar. Brinda Gill meets the designer and asks her about her labels, her inspiration and more.

- Brinda Gill

Payal Pratap Singh is a fashion designer who has been part of the Indian fashion and garment industry since her graduation in Fashion Design from NIFT, New Delhi, back in 1994. She worked with an export house (1994-2000) and then joined her husband’s studio—fashion designer Rajesh Pratap Singh—where she managed different aspects of the studio. Her exposure ranged from designing garments and merchandising to interacting with buyers and assisting with fashion shows and fairs.

A decade later, Payal felt the need to express her creativity through her own label. Knowing she was most comfortable designing contemporary Indian womenswear, she decided to target the segment of women who like to experiment with their attire and enjoy wearing garments that are stylish and contemporary with an Indian aesthetic. In 2011, Payal established her studio and launched her eponymous label Payal Pratap.

A year later, she showcased her first collection at the India Fashion week platform. With the success of her label and sensing the possibilities of presenting a premium prêt line, she launched Umbar (Sky) in May 2016, inspired by a gap in the market for sensible daywear for women in the premium prêt space.

FINDING HER SPACE