Made in Mauritius

In 2001 when Lida O’Reilly launched her first boutique, it was only to give shape to a childhood dream. “I began in a small garage room with just three people to help me,” says O’Reilly, now one of Mauritius’ most prominent designers.

The small annexe shop has now expanded into five boutiques spread across the island, and the designer is also ready with her sixth — this time a haute couture label at Curepipe, situated in the heart of the island. She has expanded into accessories, crafting beautiful jewellery with Swarovski crystals and shoes and bags embedded with semi precious stones. Now, India bound, she will launch her spring summer haute couture collection in Delhi. O’Reilly is busy putting finishing touches to the 24 ensembles, mostly evening gowns — gossamer visions in lycra, raw silk and chiffon, in colours like prunes, reds and blacks, some of which, she tells you, required over 300 hours of intense work.

Now that the business has taken off, there are other plans to take her brand forward. She has been busy doing the uniforms of five star hotels in Mauritius, but there’s plenty more on her platter. O’Reilly, who is known for her sartorial statements in designer gowns, already has a thriving market back home, with European tourists coming back to her not just for beach and casual wear but even for wedding gowns. “In Mauritius, more and more people are becoming aware of fashion. We are influenced by Bollywood trends, but the West influences us too,” she says. Which is why, she is now looking to venture into international fairs and fashion weeks. “I plan to do the Paris Fashion Week and the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai soon,” she says. Bon voyage.