Haute Secrets: Ragmatazz: Minakshi Nagu’s Unique Designs

The ultimate in couture consists of one-of-a-kind, artisan-made pieces that allow every woman to be herself in a unique way, and Ragmatazz is one haute secret that’s just waiting to be discovered. Minakshi Nagu, the mind behind the Ragmatazz line, uses a rags-to-riches process, turning what some would call rags into stylish, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Nagu is a truly remarkable woman. Despite never having any professional training, she started sewing during her college years as a necessity. Her family needed clothes for parties and get-togethers while her father was in the army and being stationed in some smaller towns, it was difficult to come by fashionable items. Later she made clothing for her daughters, and a few years ago, she decided to make more of her hobby. That’s when Ragmatazz was born. (All photos in this article are courtesy Ragmatazz.)

“In 2009 this was more like a hobby for personal use and for friends and family and gifts,” Nagu said in a video posted on her website. “But after that, I started getting local part time help and I started making much more stuff and my daughter she suggested that I sell it in the markets; like why not?”

Nagu gives nearly 90 percent of the credit for Ragmatazz to her daughters because they encouraged her to start the business. “There’s a little bit of all of us in every item that we create for Ragmatazz,” she said.

Nagu’s designs drew good responses early on, probably because of the care she puts into every piece. She said it takes about a week for new designs to go from the beginning planning and drawing stages to an actual piece.

Ragmataz launched a new line of vintage scarves earlier this year. The Infinity line came about after they visited Sharjah’s Traditional Souqs, where they were inspired by some old embroidered chadors. They found that many of the chadors showed their age, as they were two decades old, but the ladies at Ragmatazz have breathed new life into the scarves to freshen up the look and create vintage, couture pieces—and true to the Ragmatazz brand, no two are exactly alike.

You can experience Ragmatazz’s designs at the RIPE Indoor Market on June 6 and 13 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., at Times Square Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai and June 12 at the ARTE Market at the same location from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m.