Even though I've been working abroad for quite a few years now, my first major assignment was back home -- a showing at Chrysalis, a Mumbai fashion event where a lot of newcomers advertise their work. It was just after I had completed my course with SNDT and that was when I actually realised that this truly is the ideal profession for me.

~ Do youngsters looking to make a foray into fashion today have it easier or vice versa, and why?

Like I said, it is the survival of the fittest. I personally think competition is so crazy these days that it is getting more and more difficult. But to be fair, youngsters these days are quite ambitious. While it is getting harder to break into the fashion world, like any other industry there are jobs. It's just a question of knowing when and where they become available to you.

At the risk of sounding cliched, I would advise that you have to believe in what you do and always aim high. Ambition is the key factor to achieving anything in life.

The 'lucky break' factor vs making your own opportunities.

I would have to say success is a combination of a few things. While completing my course at Saint Martins I did internships with fashion houses Tristan Webber and Anne Valerie Hash. These internships involved a lot of hard work and I was paid a stipend to cover my travelling expenses and meals at work. Other than that, nothing -- I was there to learn and gain experience.

After my graduation, a very close friend of mine happened to forward my portfolio to the director of design at Galliano. I was put through three interviews before I secured a job on the design team -- after the first interview, they assign you a project and only if they like your work on the project will they take things further.

So you see, although talent is very important (I would never have landed my first job without it), personally I think it is important to network and be in the right place at the right time. I have seen many people with absolutely no talent whatsoever secure extremely important design jobs and a lot of talented people jobless. But yes, to answer the question directly -- a lucky break is important. Important, but not necessary.