Born in Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley, surrounded by the ethereal beauty of the Himalayas, Ayesha Depala’s early years were spent immersed in nature; swimming in rivers, climbing mountains and rafting in nearby Ladakh—a far cry from the frenetic energy of Dubai, the city she has now called home for over two decades.
Well-known in the Emirates as one of the country’s most successful fashion designers, Ayesha launched her eponymous label in Dubai in 2002 with a standalone store in Jumeirah’s Village Mall, after moving from India with her husband. Her brand of feminine balloon-sleeve blouses, high-waisted harem pants, and elegant embellished gowns caught the eye of regional celebrities and socialites, cementing her status at the top of the local fashion scene.
“From the outside it appeared as though I had what I needed to sustain a beautiful life, and yet I felt unfulfilled,” she says. Following a particularly challenging time in her personal life, she began to question the path she was on, eventually finding herself drawn to the remote jungles of the Amazon where she spent time rediscovering herself under the guidance of shamans.
The experience and the years of exploration since helped to reawaken her spiritual side, reminding her of her Indian heritage by revisiting the myriad ancient practices she had been exposed to as child. “My curiosity for the world and its mysteries started when I was in my early teens,” she says. “I had the privilege to be born into a lineage where I was exposed to meditation, astrology and the healing arts very young, thanks to my aunt Nandita.” Now a certified reiki healer and breathwork practitioner, as well as learning a multitude of other disciplines including hypnosis and herbology, Ayesha’s focus has turned to healing, this year launching a wellness brand in collaboration with her longtime master and tutor Paramguru, who she met in Dubai seven years ago. “I have been his disciple ever since. Traveling with him to spiritual sites in India, like Vrindavan, where he imparts his deep wisdom on ancient texts and scriptures. His wisdom is infinite.”
Named DiviNom, in homage to the “divine potential that plants hold to heal us,” the first product in the new line will be Rose Healing Water, the composition of which is derived from ancient texts and is charged with energy from the full moon. “It’s great for restoring the pita, or heat, in the body, assisting with concerns with eyesight, dry eyes, insomnia, calming your nervous system… its benefits are endless,” she says. The line will be available by subscription in July 2024.
The fashion is still there, but taking on a more simplified, sustainable, and much slower approach. “My perspective as a human being is now to be of service, not merely to sell,” she says. “My brand has evolved with me as I evolve. I have made more conscious decisions in terms of the textile and fibers I use. Making conscious decisions to recycle and resell any garments from previous seasons. Our fibers are made from flaxseed, organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp. Manmade fibers are detrimental not just to the health of the planet, but also to the human body.”
