Apeksha at the Dubai International Fashion Week.Apek was a nickname Apeksha loved. The moniker gifted by her classmates has turned a brand name for the youngest fashion designer from India. The 11-year-old girl, who has more than 100 designs to her credit, has even made her presence felt at the Dubai International Fashion Week.
Apeksha was always in awe of colors. She would scribble little houses and flowers like any other child her age. However, she was also interested in dressing up. You will find it hard to believe that you are actually speaking to an 11-year-old. Her confidence level is remarkable.
“I would notice the way people dressed up whenever I went to a function. I don’t know when this interest started. My first design was a light purple frock for myself on my ninth birthday. I got a lot of compliments. I was so happy, happier than receiving cent per cent marks in an exam!”
The Universal Records Forum and the World Records of India testify that the little girl is the youngest fashion designer in India.
Around 20 designs by Apeksha were presented at the Dubai Fashion Week. A native of Thrissur, Apeksha lives in the United Arab Emirates with her parents, Binoj and Praseena. She goes to the Sharjah Indian Excellent Schol.
Apeksha says she had to make an effort to balance studies with her passion. “Sometimes, something unexpected turns up. I somehow managed to continue with my tuition, dance lessons, and designing. Encouragement from the people around me energizes me.
“I would not have achieved so much without the support from my parents and other relatives.”
Binoj and Praseena said they stopped selecting dresses for their daughter long back. “She would not like anything that we buy. She has her own taste. She mixes and matches her wardrobe. After seeing the birthday frock Apeksha designed for herself, many relatives asked her to design a similar one for them. She did. A tailoring unit in Dubai does the work for her.”
Apeksha’s parents applied for a record after the girl designed 100 costumes. When the certificate came six months later, it was a morale booster for the little girl.
Her teachers no longer complain that she was always drawing something in her notebook. “They all congratulate me,” she said.
In 2016, Apeksha applied to join the Mirna Elhage fashion designing college in Dubai. The school was so impressed with the girl’s portfolio that she was admitted even though the little designer was a long way from passing the 12th grade. She has already passed the first level of graduation from the institution.
Back in India, Apeksha was part of the Sapthamukhi fashion show, which was held in Kottayam. The golden gown she designed for the show is one of her favorites.
Apeksha is marketing her creations online under the brand name, Apek Dreams of Design. Her signature collection of evening wear is apparently a hit among teenagers.
She says she draws inspiration from Coco Chanel’s International Touch and Poornima Indrajith’s Traditional Brilliance.
