Written by AMULYA MISRA and THARUSHI GUNARATNE for THE DESIGN COLLECTIVE
Suly Cader 
Muna Cader
When we travel, we usually collect memories and little trinkets that last us a lifetime. However sisters, Suly and Muna Cader brought more than just fond memories with them when they came back to Sri Lanka from their vacation; they brought back a whole new business idea.
The duo launched Navya in 2017 with a vision to bring to their native homeland a curated range of clutches that merged their interests and design sensibilities with international trends. Navya, named after the Sanskrit word for fresh and modern, creates artisanal clutches for the modern Sri Lankan woman.
From bright and bold prints to heavily embroidered and ornate pieces, their clutches perfectly embody their contemporary design style with their traditional roots. With designs as sought after as theirs, you can imagine the excitement and anticipation that filled the air when they announced the launch of their festive collection at The Design Collective Store.
We caught up with both the sisters, Suly and Muna, in an exciting interview about Navya, their working relationship and their upcoming festive range!
What was the motivation behind launching NAVYA?
Suly: Muna and I were living in separate countries and after about ten years or so we moved back home. It was the first time, since childhood, that we were living under one roof again. That, combined with a lack of occasion wear clutches available in the markets in Sri Lanka, sparked something in us to start a business together.
What is it like to be working together on a brand as sisters?
Suly: When we were younger, as we were only a few years apart, we used to fight a lot. Although we do still want to kill each other on a daily basis, working together on Navya, that is our brainchild, has made our bond so much stronger.
Muna: Being sisters, Suly and I have always been able to anticipate what the other is thinking and understand each other’s ideas really well. This makes the decision making process that much easily. We are able to sort differences and come to conclusions a lot faster. I would say it definitely helps to have a business partner who is also your sister because it gives us an advantage which is the reason for the success of Navya.
What was the inspiration behind the new festive collection available at TDC?
Muna: This festive collection came about when we were planning Suly’s wedding. In Sri Lanka, the end of the year is one of the biggest seasons. With lavish weddings, family gathers and parties, it’s a time of many celebrations. Although this year is slightly different, we wanted to capture that joy of the season in our collection.
Suly: Even with the current situation, we wanted to end the year on a good note. We wanted everybody to feel that festive vibe regardless of whether they stayed at home. The on-going restrictions of COVID had caused weddings to be postponed, much like mine was, and a lot of people were becoming depressed. We wanted everyone to feel that excitement and close connection that comes from the season, so we put together a collection that everyone would enjoy. This collection is the perfect blend of the past and the future. We have brought back some of our most-loved designs into it and also have some gorgeous new pieces. The best part of it is the unique designs and rich materials we have used. It’s for everyone to carry–from daytime to nighttime.
What is your favourite part about being a designer?
Suly: We always say we are not designers because we didn’t go to design school. However, as we have always had a great eye for fashion, we like to call ourselves the book cruisers of designing.
The creativity is our favourite part of the role. Every time, we get to try out something new, something different and out of the box. From adding prints and slogans to our clutches to adding those little touches of embroideries, each thing we come up with is very close to our heart. That is why we love what we do.
Explain to us the multiple occasions and ways your clients can style the clutches.
Clutches are ideally an evening accessory, as they only fit in your minimal essentials and are meant to be carried in hand. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be versatile pieces of your wardrobe. All our clutches come with an attached chain that turns it into a crossbody for a casual daytime look that you can pair with your favourite jeans and a t-shirt. You can easily transition it into an evening look by pairing it with a dress.
This versatility gives these clutches an added edge because they can fit into different settings and be used with multiple outfits.
How do you want women to feel when carrying your clutches?
Muna: We want women to feel strong, empowered and confident when they carry our clutches. Personally, whenever we hold a clutch in our hands, it adds to our inner confidence and that reflects beautifully with each outfit.
Suly: There is a lot of love and care that has gone behind each of our clutches. Usually we find people neglect accessories, especially bags, when they are planning an outfit. But bags are actually the perfect finishing piece that pulls a look together! We want people to focus on accessories as it gives them an added edge of power and confidence behind each look. We want them to feel as good as they look.
Shop the range of clutches by NAVYA