MEET OUR FOUNDER AND DESIGNER
Chandrika, a British-Asian woman born and raised in London, is the visionary and creative force behind Chandrika Thomas London. With a deep-rooted passion for creativity and a profound appreciation for all that life offers, she translates these experiences into luxurious scents. Each fragrance is crafted to encapsulate cherished moments, offering a refined olfactory journey.
Chandrika's passion for design began early in her childhood, with a dream of becoming a fashion designer. Despite her aspirations, she faced discouragement from those around her, who believed that being a woman of Asian descent would limit her opportunities in the fashion industry. Undeterred by these challenges, she pursued her dreams with determination, harnessing her unique vision and exceptional visual thinking skills to create a new narrative for herself.
Chandrika faces severe dyslexia and ADHD, conditions that many might view as obstacles. However, rather than allowing them to hold her back, she has embraced these challenges, learning to understand and navigate them with grace. By acknowledging her weaknesses and building on her strengths, she has transformed these difficulties into sources of personal and creative growth.
At the age of 18, Chandrika received a marketing grant from the Prince's Trust, marking the start of her entrepreneurial journey. This opportunity allowed her to establish a name in the world of wedding dress couture. With meticulous craftsmanship, boundless creativity, and an innate understanding of each brideโs vision, Chandrika's bespoke wedding dresses attracted a growing clientele. Her designs became synonymous with elegance and sophistication, enabling her to cater for brides across the UK and supply exclusive bridal boutiques throughout the country.
Despite her success in the bridal industry, Chandrika made the courageous decision to pivot to perfumery. She believes that life is a series of choices and that making thoughtful decisions is essential to living a rich and meaningful life. She knew she needed to forge a new path to truly embrace the life she was given. It was a decision she felt compelled to make.
Chandrika often shares her guiding philosophy: โLive the life you are supposed to live. You have to live the life, not work to live.โ
Chandrika's career in designing wedding dresses was immensely fulfilling, but she always understood that life requires evolution and growth. She embraced the idea that stagnation is not an option and that change is a natural part of progress. Embracing change as a natural part of progress, she mastered the intricate skills of making and cutting patterns, technical design, and quality control.
As her business grew, Chandrika secured exclusive agreements for silks woven specifically for her designs. She frequently travelled abroad to oversee the production process and ensure the technical aspects met her high standards. This hands-on approach allowed her to manage every detail meticulously, from selecting the finest raw materials to adapting techniques in response to challenges like poor crop yields. Her direct involvement in every stage ensured that her products consistently maintained the highest quality.
Despite her success in the bridal world, Chandrika knew that she needed to evolve further. She envisioned creating a business that would not only be sustainable and thrive independently but also allow her to enjoy a balanced life. This new venture was more than just a career shift; it was a step towards fulfilling her vision of continuous personal and professional growth, establishing a lasting legacy that could flourish even in her absence.
Amidst the beauty of witnessing her bridesโ special moments, Chandrika recognised an opportunity to channel her experiences into a new form of artistry. She realised she could translate these precious experiences into timeless fragrances, creating perfumes that encapsulate and evoke cherished memories, accompanying people through their own life stories, just as her wedding dresses had done for brides on their special days.
The beauty of perfumery is that it allows her to create timeless masterpieces through her creativity and craftsmanship while giving people a way to preserve their treasured moments. At the same time, it enables her to live the life she is meant to live.
For Chandrika, designing a wedding dress and creating a perfume are two expressions of the same artistic vision. Just as she meticulously tailored each dress to reflect the brideโs unique style, the seasonโs essence, and the overall ambience, she now brings the same level of detail to perfumery. The intricate layering of fabrics and threads in her couture work parallels her approach to blending and harmonising fragrance notes. Each perfume that has been crafted is a work of art, designed to reflect the wearerโs personal journey while weaving together scent notes that also embody her rich experiences with life and nature. Through her fragrances, Chandrika captures the essence of each moment with the same elegance and depth she once infused into her wedding dresses.
The wealth of technical skills and knowledge Chandrika gained from her couture wedding dress business now serve as the foundation of her current endeavour. She applies this expertise to the development and innovation of a wider range of products as she transitions into building a lifestyle brand.
Beyond her role as Chandrika Thomas London's founder and fragrance designer, Chandrika is deeply committed to inspiring and supporting the next generations. She has visited universities and schools and has also been involved in various outreach initiatives, sharing her experiences to motivate and empower young people. Chandrika believes that with the right support and education, young people can overcome any barriers and thrive, regardless of their situation or background.
Her dedication to these values reflects her vision that life should be celebrated and that we should create a more beautiful world where future generations can appreciate lifeโs beauty, the wonders of nature, and achieve great things.
As she continues this journey, Chandrika aspires to craft even more luxurious and innovative products while making a meaningful contribution to society and the environment. With a vision of blending luxury and purpose, she looks forward to a future brimming with promise and growth. As her brand evolves, she envisions a path paved with exciting opportunities and achievements, enriching the world with elegance and positive impact for years to come.
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