The word ‘magic’ comes up in this chat with Palak Shah, the CEO and founder of Ekaya Banaras. Their new ready-to-wear range EVERAFTER too has been shot with magic in mind. Romantic, and in Palak’s word ‘mystical’. Palak takes The Telegraph through the making of the collection and what a decade of Ekaya Banaras means to her.

The shoot looks stunning! It’s lovely how you’ve woven in nature...

We shot this near Delhi and took advantage of Delhi’s weather. The collection is inspired by nature a lot. Even if you see the motifs on it, there’s a lot of flora, fauna and animals. So, why not infuse it with the kind of setting that you are doing. I wanted to shoot it at a warm mystical place. At this point of time everyone is feeling fuzzy and warm and expecting magic to happen. Also, very fairy tale-like, transporting you into a different mood and era.

I just feel against the backdrop of nature, these colours are popping out so beautifully and is what is making the images so beautiful.

I was a 20-year-old when I started, a young child with lots of dreams and visions. — Palak Shah, CEO and founder, Ekaya Banaras

Was the name born out of pandemic musings? Ekaya Banaras has always been about classics, but are you feeling particularly nostalgic because of the times we are living in and want things to last ever after?

Yeah... I feel like, do not perhaps give up hope. I think that’s a big theme for me this year. No matter what life throws at you, you must always dream on. There is an ever-after for sure, despite all the ups and downs.

Tell us about the collection...

The collection is more wedding-y, but more intimate as well. We haven’t experimented too much with the silhouette. The colours are more pop and fit for the current wedding season. Everything is conventional and to the point, what the market needs.

What are the things in your life that you want to last ever after?

I think... I am hoping... my family. My gratitude towards life. The existence of magic actually to be honest, that I feel is going to last ever after. No matter what, everything is happening around you in a magical way.

A decade of Ekaya Banaras! Congratulations!

We are going to complete it in September. The whole year we are celebrating it. It’s been beautiful and it’s the way you look at journeys. Some people look at journeys as tumultuous and remember all the bad parts. For me, it’s been so much in the flow of things. I have learned so much and I have made so many mistakes and have had so many successes.... It’s not just the end but the beginning and every year it’s a beginning to a whole new decade altogether, a new mood and new way of looking at life, the brand.

You have always said that giving Indian heritage a modern language and taking it to a global platform has been the aim. How challenging was that?

The struggle is still on. I feel like if something is not challenging you, it’s not really exciting you. You don’t remember it if it is not challenging. Challenges make you rethink your strategy.

What has changed in you? Is there a part of you that is lost and you’d like to reconnect with?

I was a 20-year-old when I started, a young child with lots of dreams and visions. My visions and dreams are still the same. I am still a risk-taker and still believe in magic. I still believe that the impossible can be made possible. I have definitely become more patient over the years. And more realistic. My dreams haven’t changed but I know what is achievable, given the time span. I still want to reach where I want to reach and I know I will eventually.... I still listen to my gut, always. The experiences and journey and the kind of person I was and the person I have become is all part of the process. Appreciation for your own country has come in a lot more. I have really understood where people come from, what their struggles are... the ground reality.

Are you planning at all for the next many more decades?

I am not planning at all. I am really letting life take me... no more planning. I have never been quite a planner. I definitely plan my day, week and month, but in terms of Ekaya, I have let it flow. That’s the most beautiful thing I could have done for the brand.