At the young age of sixteen, Harkirn Khaila a resident of Birmingham, United Kingdom, began designing and dressmaking.  Since then, she has never had to buy an item of clothing. “I make everything I wear; I am now 37 years old.”

Harkirn's mother was a seamstress, and watching her create clothes was an unrecognized inspiration (at the time) to her future design career. So were the fabrics her mother would use while sewing.

“Being Asian, I was always surrounded by beautiful fabrics like silks, brocades, chiffons that always sparkled in my mums wardrobe. So I guess subconsciously the interest was always there but I made the decision to become a designer when I left school at 16.”

Harkirn left a job of ten years, working with BBC television, and sought out to chase her dream. And, on January 20^th 2009, the same day the United States president took office, she was able to open her very own boutique filled with her collections. “In honour of Barack Obama's Inauguration I opened my first boutique and set up my own label "HOX.”

When designing for her “HOX” Collections (Hox is a nickname given by her husband), inspirations are never planned.  “In terms of design I am inspired by my environment, my mood, my Indian heritage and my western up bringing. I can be inspired by a button, a shoe, a building I design very organically sometimes I just sit at my machine and create something without knowing how its going to end up, I'll experiment on the spot.”

She feels fashion is an opportunity to showcase your individuality to the world. “To me fashion is a visual illustration of one’s personality. Clothes should reflect who you are - that way you will wear them well and always look comfortable. I see one’s body, whatever shape or size, as a hanger that you have to dress everyday and what you wear is a reflection of the mood you are in on that day!”

During her first year with the boutique, she's discovered some perks of having your own business. “I love being my own boss, I love the fact that fashion is part of my everyday life but what gives me the biggest thrill is when someone falls in love with one of my pieces and purchases it; it's the best compliment.”

The only thing she doesn't enjoy is all the paperwork that comes with being a businesswoman. “I can't deny it has been a struggle starting the business during a recession but I'm having such a great response to my collection which is giving me the strength and determination to battle on.”

And, with celebrity endorsements of her line within the first year, as well as an opportunity to have her clothing showcased in a Paris boutique, the recession doesn't seem to be slowing her down. “Most recently we won a stand at the Clothes Show Live event in December. It’s going to be a wonderful way to end what has been an amazing year.”

Harkirn ends the interview with some advice for struggling designers: “Most importantly always ENJOY what you do, that way your passion will shine through. It’s such a competitive industry - you really don't know how much until you're in it, so be prepared for a few knock-backs but never lose faith. If you can have a signature style that people can associate with you, that will give you focus and make it easier to promote yourself.”

Harkirn Khaila is a featured UsTrendy designer. You can view her blogs and portfolio at
http://www.ustrendy.com/hox/.