With a degree from New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology and six years of fashion experience in the big apple under her belt, Kiran is now taking Dubai’s fashion and social scene by storm.
Kiran kicked off her career in New York with stints at Tommy Hilfiger and DKNY before moving to key positions at Snoop Dogg Clothing, Jennifer Lopez Outerwear and Plugg Jeans.
Everything about Kiran oozes creativity, from her own eclectic fashion sense and her
“Larger than life” lifestyle to her preferred pastimes such as writing and drawing. But her self-confessed “go with the flow” personality belies an entrepreneurial and very business savvy mind.
Besides being the Director and Head Buyer of fashion and lifestyle boutique Kraze, Kiran is also Creative Director of retail powerhouse Deepak’s Group. Kiran combines these demanding jobs with a very active social life, frequent exotic travel and preparing for her first child with husband Kumar Sawlani.
“My husband and I share the same work- ethos and passion for the business, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot enjoy going out and having a full social calendar” says Kiran. Working this closely with your husband would be a challenge for most women, but Kiran relishes the fact that her husband is supportive and pushes her to achieve even her most ambitious goals.
And Kiran is certainly no stranger to a healthy dose of ambition; Now that the first Kraze is a success in Dubai, a second store is in the planning for London as well as a flagship Kraze store in Dubai. Kiran credits her parents and her upbringing in Bombay, India for her go-getter attitude: “My parents have always pushed me to be my own person and to follow my dreams, even if that meant going against tradition and allowing me to study in New York”
While moving to New York was a life long dream for globetrotting Kiran, she does admit that the move to Dubai proved a little daunting at first. “New York is such a vibrant place with a firmly established fashion industry, so moving to a place that is still very much developing was a challenge” says Kiran. She has now fallen in love with Dubai and its infinite possibilities. “Dubai actually reminds me of New York, this too is a land of opportunities for those willing to work hard to realize their dreams” says Kiran.
About her own impending motherhood she says: “Being a disciplinarian and your child’s best friend do not have to be mutually exclusive and I aspire to be both.”
Being a young entrepreneur herself, Kiran is passionate about supporting others in their quest to become successful in their own field. With the Arts being close to her own heart, Kiran enthusiastically speaks of a young photographer she is supporting for her first media event, later this year. Says Kiran: “I look forward to expanding this program and give support to young talent and entrepreneurs.”
