Female Fingerprints: May 2023
Featuring: Tania Mohan, Founder and Creative Director, Tabla.
Female Fingerprints is a monthly feature created to highlight women around the globe who have had an impact in their local communities and beyond. Throughout the year I will share some of the best and brightest stories of women who are making a positive and lasting imprint on our world.
In this edition of Female Fingerprints, we shine the spotlight on the remarkable achievements of Tania Mohan, a talented and trailblazing female entrepreneur. Tania's journey from being a barrister to becoming the Founder and Creative Director of Tabla, an east-meets-West luxury lifestyle brand, is an inspiring tale of passion, perseverance, and dedication.
Tania Mohan, born and raised in Hong Kong, embarked on a unique path that led her from the world of law to the realm of creative design. Armed with an LLB from London and PCLL from Hong Kong University, Tania's career trajectory took an unexpected turn. As she recounted to me: “My careers picked me!”
She boldly convinced a major Hong Kong newspaper to hire her as their Fashion Editor. This marked the beginning of her illustrious career as the first fashion editor of the Hong Kong Standard newspaper in the 1990s, where she interviewed renowned designers and styled editorials for various Asian publications.
After her stint in fashion journalism, Tania focused on her law career. However, she found herself drawn to the vibrant textile craftsmanship of India during a trip with her hero, her mum. Tania’s visionary spirit recognized the potential for textile design and she knew she had to return to India to bring her creative ideas to life.
In 1999, Tania seized the opportunity and founded Tabla, a luxury clothing and accessories brand inspired by India's rich heritage. The brand's flagship boutique opened in Prince's Building, Hong Kong, marking the beginning of Tania's entrepreneurial journey.
Tabla, meaning "pair of drums" in Hindi, perfectly encapsulates the essence of Tania's brand. It fuses the best of East and West, showcasing India's artistry and craftsmanship in a contemporary and globally appealing manner. Tania's love affair with India's diverse textile traditions and techniques is evident in every creation of Tabla.
In a world saturated with mass-produced luxury goods, Tania emphasizes the importance of preserving old-fashioned techniques. She believes that true luxury lies in exploring and reclaiming these forgotten arts.
“The world today is inundated with mass production carrying the label ‘Luxury.’ There is much forgotten in the world today of the old-fashioned techniques, color-dyeing, thread work and tradition which needs to be explored and rightly reclaim its position as true ‘Luxury’.” - Tania Mohan –
Tania brought forward the sparkle of regal refinement and opulence of Zardozi, embellishments on the costumes of the royals under the patronage of Mughal emperor Akbar when it truly reached its pinnacle. A timeless embroidery that brings a slice of Indian luxury to the global market.
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Her lavish wearable art of interlocking threads, exceedingly personal, always made by hand inclusive of printed kaftans and silhouettes and tops, each one created by artisans using traditional techniques in its purest form. Curated by Tania, focused on authenticity, craft and her own individual aesthetic.
From Lucknow's delicate chikan embroidery to Rajasthan's vibrant bandini and kundun enamel jewelry, Tania's designs celebrate the beauty and heritage of Indian craftsmanship. With her travels to places like Kutch, Tania infuses tribal and mirrorwork elements, adding a unique Tabla twist to her creations.
“I remember collecting teacups and textiles from a young age. India has been a constant source of inspiration since I founded Tabla over two decades ago. The new homeware collection explores Oriental heritage as an Indian girl growing up and living in Asia, a tale of India and China.”
In 2015, Tania expanded the brand with the opening of her first London boutique.
Tania's dedication to preserving artistry and her deep respect for her Indian heritage led her to envision an orphanage for street girls in India. She aspires to provide these girls with opportunities to learn, grow, and empower themselves.
Each piece is a work of art, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans using traditional techniques. Tania's curation emphasizes authenticity, craftsmanship, and her own individual aesthetic. This attention to detail and passion for Indian luxury has garnered Tabla a loyal global clientele, firmly establishing it as a luxury brand loved by all.
Aside from her remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Tania remains deeply connected to her roots and believes in giving back to the community. She is a friend of The Hong Kong Cancer Fund and holds a hospitable nature, always seeking opportunities to make a positive impact. Tania acknowledges Hong Kong as a place that has provided her with incredible opportunities and admires the can-do mentality of its people, which fuels her drive and passion.
“Hong Kong has treated me well and given me many fantastic opportunities. A place with a ‘can do’ mentality of the people, is a driving force that’s unrivalled anywhere else”.
This prolific globetrotter and apparel designer truly captures the beautiful essence and splendor of India with her impeccable fashion and tasteful style. Her brand has gained popularity and built loyal clients globally. Tania expresses her brand as “luxurious, timeless and seasonless clothes”. Her vision was to create a global luxury brand, a classic that is loved by all, a dream realized!
What is your greatest strength?
“My constant is loyalty besides being brutally honest. I am also someone who never gives up, in life we must always have hope.”
Which one of your many accomplishments / achievements do you take most pride in?
“I love the fact that I have kept my brand and store for 23 years and we are still growing. When I see someone wearing a Tabla dress or carrying our shopping bag I still have immense pride. An incredible journey and one I cherish most were completing my the exams and training to qualify as a Barrister at Law. My legal training has been put to use in so many areas of my life, this has been my greatest achievement.”
What significant challenges/adversaries have you faced throughout your trajectory? What was your breakthrough moment?
“For Tabla, it’s been very up and down with SARS, the 2008 market crashes, protests in Hong Kong and the Pandemic. One of our toughest experiences was ending our relationship with our business partners in the UK and having to pick up the pieces. Despite all of this, my dedication to and vision for growth has always kept me going. This is a big breakthrough moment for me, just the fact that something inside me still wants to go on and still believes the brand and its potential makes me excited to push even further and achieve all the goals I have in my mind.”
Fashion never sleeps, how do you stay on top of industry trends?
“Tabla is a season-less brand, we work with crafts and embroideries which are our timeless pieces. If I am loving a tie dye at a particular point in time, I tend to create product that celebrates the craft.”
How would you encourage female entrepreneurs to be resilient?
“I believe every woman needs her tribe, a group, family or even just one friend. Pep talks can be revitalizing. My favorite ones are with my mum, who is my best friend, it is such a blessing. As women we all have to reach inside of ourselves and find our own strength and in turn encourage each other.”
Tania, can you share some tips on taking style seriously?
“I believe that if you own a small company, you need to multitask. For Tabla, besides designing, I am involved in marketing, PR as well as maintaining a big role in selling the product. Simplicity is key, do not over hire till your company reaches a certain turnover.
Building relationships are important I have an amazing team, a manager for the past fifteen years. The same supplier in India whom I have worked with for twenty years. Having a great team whom you trust, and nurture is vital for growing your company.”
Your next ageless adventures?
“More Tabla Boutiques and a healthy wholesale business.”
How do you practice wellness and self-care, enhancing your inner beauty?
“Escaping to Koh Samui for the peacefulness. Calming saunas, soothing massages, listening to great podcasts during my walks. I enjoy playing Bridge and Mahjong which I find are beneficial for my mental health. Most importantly time with my precious Wolfie!”
Tania Mohan, innovative female entrepreneur who is poised, positive and optimistic. One who has operated a successful business enterprise, simultaneously creating employment opportunities for others. She speaks with authority and purpose, knows who she is and builds others up. Her fingerprints on the lives of the people she has touched will never fade!
Thank You, Tania for all the beauty and hope that you bring into our lives!
Very inpriring how Tania has kept her roots! I often enjoy browsing in her store whenever I'm in Prince's Building!