Designer Raghavendra Rathore, who is from Jodhpur, tells AFTERhrs why he chose to open his design institute in the Pink City
One of the most prominent menswear designers of the country, Raghavendra Rathore is finally fulfilling his long-term dream of opening a design institute. Rathore, the man with a suave personality who hails from Jodhpur, was in Jaipur on Tuesday for the soft launch of the Gurukul Institute. In a conversation with AFTERhrs, the designer shared why he chose Jaipur to open this institute, his future plans and more.
‘Jodhpur inspires me’
Though the designer comes from Jodhpur, he is launching the institute in the Pink City because of its connectivity. “Jaipur is like a magical hub for me. It has culture, craft, technique and is also close to Delhi. Jodhpur had a connectivity issue, and I felt this city (Jaipur) will be the perfect hub for children, since they are looking to sprout out and travel,” explained the designer. Having said that, Rathore is still living and working out of Jodhpur, reason being the comfort that the Blue City offers. “It is a comfortable place to work. The city and its landscape inspires me and, at the same time, is like therapy for me,” expressed Rathore.
Teaching should be creative
Rathore also shared his plans for the institute. “What’s important at an institute today is to make it contemporary with what’s happening in the market; what is being taught must hold relevance. It is important to not think of only the West. I believe that we need to have our terms and conditions according to India " like the weather, behaviour and mentality of the people. The cultures are different in Asia as compared to the West, so the teachings too need to be different,” Rathore said. He added that the idea of a class has become monotonous over the years, “We need to change the way we teach, it should be more fun and creative. Our idea is not to make it a ‘large’ institute, but I want students to become entrepreneurs and not just learn fashion design,” he asserted. “The students here will get to meet people from the trade, which is an important part of the journey,” he added.
Draping celebs
The designer studied in New York, which was a cultural experience where he realised that ‘people from small towns have more to offer’. “One should learn to learn a new skill. It gives you the ability to use your talents in multiple things,” he said. Rathore has been the first choice of many celebrities for their wedding outfits, including Virat Kohli, Anand Ahuja, and more. He believes it is the confidence that they have in the brand, which probably makes it their first choice, “It is also the experience of getting customised set up that we have and also because they want unique and different outfits for them that are one of their kinds.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Raghavendra Rathore")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}