Vibrant, vivacious and beautiful, that’s how I interpreted Palak Shah when I saw her photographs from the recently held Cousu d'or – Magical Weaving event, where her brand Ekaya collaborated with La Fédération Française de la Création Couture, to promote traditional Indian fabrics.
Working alongside her father, Ms Shah is on a mission to preserve Banarasi textiles for generations. She is involved in broadening the scope of the textile retail experience by presenting these textiles in uniquely modern ways, bypassing the stereotypical methods used for production and retail of Banarasi fabrics.
Honing her sharp business acumen at King’s College London and Babson College in Boston, it is Ms Shah’s deep curiosity for the world and a fierce pride in Indian textiles that has been a driving force behind Ekaya’s success and growth. She embraces heritage by using it as a springboard for inspiration, helping Ekaya bring a younger and bolder life to the story of textiles in India.
Between all the preservation and strategizing, Ms Shah talks about her life, her inspiration and her daily quests with us.
LuxuryFacts: What did you want to become as a child?
Palak Shah: A computer engineer or a detective. Depended on my mood!
What kind of a kid were you?
Very inquisitive and always up to something
What was the life experience that impacted you the most? How and why?
My 10 year stint at boarding school. I was admitted into one when I was 8 years old. It truly made me who I am today: independent, strong and fierce.
What advice would you give to your 18-year old self?
Nothing. I am glad I enjoyed my youth back then and did what I did. Life is already moving at a breakneck speed and I’m glad I got a bit of a breather back then!
What was the last thing that made you genuinely laugh?
A really intense and funny roast session with my best friend.
What is the most exciting part of your workday? The most tedious?
– Exciting part of my day is working on new strategies. I love ideating.
– The most tedious is checking the daily expenses and various reports. Really tires me!
How do you decompress?
By spending some alone time with myself. Over the years I’ve really started enjoying spending time with myself and doing things I like. It could be just listening to music or reading or just watching some silly show on the TV. After a long stressful day, I honestly just want to lie in bed and do things I like.
What was the first thing you thought about this morning?
My workout! I am obsessed with working out.
What is the last thing you do before going to bed?
My bedtime face cleaning ritual.
What is the meaning of life?
Meaning of life is perhaps to enjoy every second of it and live life king size because quite honestly, life is too uncertain to be thinking so much and over-analyzing everything.
What’s love?
Isn’t that something, we’ve all been trying to figure out for most of our lives? Wish I knew!
What are you most afraid of?
Having regrets!
What is one existential, difficult-to- answer question you wished you knew the right response to?
Question number 13!
