‘I would trade anything for a good set of wheels’

Designer Rajesh Pratap Singh is known for his distinct signature style — carefully crafted garments which are one-of-its-kind because of their flawless clean construction and detailing. Having been born and brought up in Rajasthan but currently based in Delhi, he doesn’t call himself a fashion designer; rather, when asked why he calls himself a ‘product designer’, he says, “As designers, we should strive to be solution providers.  Make a better product.  It should be comfortable first, wearable and if it’s high on style, that’s a bonus. Fashion has a lot more to do with marketing and that’s something I don’t spend much time on.”

His designs are a play of contrast hues with hard and soft strokes and structured clothing. So do we see him ever change the mould? Rajesh quickly says, “I don’t really consciously direct the way I work. Interplay of contrasts is challenging and so we keep coming back to it. It’s like a soft sculpture.”

An avid biker, does Rajesh get any time to ride the mean machine considering his hectic schedule? “This question takes me back awhile. I have always had bikes. Just off late it isn’t happening so much. What attracts me to the bike is that there is a certain precision in the machine. An engineered product, gives me a sense of the carefree and a feeling of endless space. I would trade anything for a good set of wheels.” He also feels that travelling certainly helps any creative person to evolve more.

Being a rock climber, when was the last time he went rock climbing? Rajesh says, “I do not do it anymore but I need to correct that. So next summer I will go rock climbing.”