Khanna, creative director of Gaya, figured her embroidery house, which employs 450 people and has been in business 23 years, had all the resources to pivot from a third-party resource to build a stand-alone brand. “We try to keep everything very vertical and sustainable. All the luxury brands we work with over the past 20 years are very particular, especially the Kering brands and LVMH brands,” she said. She started the embroidery with a few clients, and the business snowballed.
Gaya is designed in Europe and handcrafted in India. It blends European influence with the arts and crafts of India. The line is inspired by Khanna’s travels, nature and the culture of India.Born in Mumbai, Khanna graduated from Babson College in Boston and spent the early part of her career working at Saks Fifth Avenue, first as an intern and then in the buying department. She explained that she always wanted to have a brand. In 2006, she had a brand in India called Gayatri.
The collection, which focuses on embroidery, prints and specialty fabrics, is comprised of dresses and blouses. Retail prices range from $175 to $1,950.