Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm Neha, co-founder and creative director of Cord. I was born in Agra and grew up all over India, changing over 5 schools across Nagpur, Jammu, Kannur, Shillong and Secunderabad!
What did baby Neha want to be?
Baby Neha would tell everyone she wanted to grow up to be a doctor, but in her heart all she ever wanted to be was the quintessential heroine. Not an actress—a heroine. So much so that she would pretend she was a damsel-in-distress during hide-and-seek.
Favourite childhood memory.
In Shillong: Sunday picnics with my friends, in fields by a lake that was filled with swans, in a tent we’d make of our mothers sarees, eating our favourite snacks and pretending to be adults. My childhood was a dream.
Current trend you love?
Stacking gold jewelry! Oh and mom jeans.
Current trend you hate?
Neon.
Most reliable accessory.
A good leather bag!
Worst nickname you had as a kid?
Kaajal factory! *rolls eyes*
Comfort food.
Cake!
Nostalgia is big for you and Cord. What is it inspired by?
Nostalgia for me is the reminisce of the simpler times—warm summer afternoons spent playing in my backyard, picnics with my girlfriends in the fields, Enid Blyton books over the summer. At the end, all we’re left with are the memories we’ve made through our lives. And I’m inspired by happy memories—how they have the ability to evoke a sense of belongingness, a feeling of comfort and love. Cord is all of that and more; comfort, coupled with functionality and focus on sweet details.
Favourite childhood memory.
In Shillong: Sunday picnics with my friends, in fields by a lake that was filled with swans, in a tent we’d make of our mothers sarees, eating our favourite snacks and pretending to be adults. My childhood was a dream.
What are you looking forward to?
Feeling super jumpy about our new store in Pali Hill, Bombay! People are so curious about ‘that new beautiful store down the road!’
Tell us about your love affair with fashion.
Just like any other little girl, I wanted to be my mom. She would often stitch clothes for me and I’d help her design. At age 4, I was experimenting with my mothers dupattas and sarees—draping them as dresses. I’d even make outfits for myself out of newspapers! As early as 8 I was dressing myself, discovering and developing a preliminary understanding of fabrics and design. And today I get to make and sell clothes. Life is truly amazing.
What's feminism to you?
To me, feminism is equality: of rights, access to opportunities, wages. It’s not about ‘sameness’, women are not trying to be men and don’t have to be just to earn the same level of respect. Many women I know refrain from using the ‘F word’ because they prefer the term women empowerment, but they don’t realise they’re feeding the stigma. There’s a silly misconception that feminists are men-hating, career oriented women who don’t shave, aren’t feminine and believe women are superior to men.
Self care tips?
Eat clean. Work out. Put on a facemask. Light a candle. Listen to music. Read. Put on sunscreen. Drink water. Moisutrise. Meditate. Drink a cup of tea. Talk to people you love. Declutter. Nap. Buy flowers. Nap. Bake!
Your favourite aesthetic?
Modern vintage!
Last book you read?
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
In the mountains.
All images by Tenzin Lhagyal.
