For more than a decade now, not just the swish set but NRIs have dutifully lined up at her store for designer ensembles. Given the fact that fashion is all about seasons and collections, Babi Grewal always has her hands full, all through the year.

“I start my day as early as six in the morning for that’s when I wake up my elder son and get him ready for school,” says Grewal who, after getting the elder son on his school bus, heads back home to get her younger son ready. “Morning’s are always a rushed affair,” she says, driving her son to school before heading to her workplace — her store ‘Babi’s’, tucked away in the Sector-8 market. “The shutters are up by 10:30 am after the covers are removed from the racks and the place is cleaned up, I am ready to face the day,” says the fashion designer who always sets her appointments a day in advance.

“The wedding season is in full swing now and since I have a bridal studio on the first floor, these are busy days,” Grewal says as she runs through her diary. “From 11:30 to about 1:30 pm, I will be sitting down with clients, working out looks, embroideries, embellishments...since it’s a personalised profession, it is also very taxing. Then there are walk-in customers to deal with too,” says Grewal who also stocks up on jewellery and accessories like handbags at her store.

“My lunch break is always at the store. Usually, there’s a lull between 2 and 3 pm,” you hear her say even as she lists out instructions to her staff which includes an errand boy, a masterji at the store and also an assistant.

... contd.