Looming fashion

At a time when fashion changes with a blink of an eye, there’s one designer who wants to contribute to long-term trends. “I want to contribute to sustainable fashion. One of my latest project includes reviving textiles for saris. This will generate not just pretty saris but employment in seven states across India. I am also working on reviving yarn out of fire and my dream project is a hand-stitched collection made of natural indigo,” says Rajesh Pratap Singh.

As a designer, he feels getting away from fashion and moving towards sustainable style. This might mean enhancing what we see and feel about us. So does that change what fashion is? “I have no clue what fashion is. But I am attempting to create a more sustainable base. People are throwing away clothes in less than six months, something on which so much time and effort is spent. This doesn’t fit in my head,” he says. Rajesh is not only talking about designs and fabrics that will last for a while, but has also been discussing ways and methods to give back to the environment. However, he is keen to contribute in creating fashion that is not artificial. “I am not good enough, I am not saving the world yet, so I better shut my trap.”

Apart from working on a variety of collections, Rajesh takes pride in designing uniforms. He says, “I have just finished designing pilot uniforms for Indigo Airlines. The most important thing to keep in mind is functionality, and all the other aspects will fall in place.”

All his contemporaries have expanded their brand name to either home furnishings, restaurants or other areas. So will we see the designer start any new business venture? “I don’t know how to cook, so restaurants are not for me. Also whatever I do, I need to see a reason to be there. For instance, for uniforms I am giving design inputs, but in other categories I don’t think I will be adding any value.”

His wife Payal, who has been helping Rajesh at work, has started her own label. So is there a competition at home? He answers, “Payal is super-talented. She has always been a designer, it is now that she has her own label. At home, we have so many other things to discuss. Most of the time, we are busy trying to take care of our ‘out-of-control kids’.