Epitomising minimalism, Rajesh Pratap Singh’s signature can be easily recognisable in a pool of creative talent. Modern and rooted at the same time, Singh’s penchant for spotlighting handloom weaves through a contemporary lens has set a benchmark for the industry. His clothes successfully transcend the passage of time, thereby making a case for sustainability in true fashion, minus the fake, woeful promises of aplenty. Here’s what he had to share with us.
ELLE: Describe your label in three words.
Rajesh Pratap Singh (RPS): Pure. Indian. Modern. It is more about the process –the yarn, the count, the weave, the structure. We like to work with the basics, the origins of the fabric. Where we come from and what we are doing with it has always been important. We have never been about trends.
ELLE: If you could dress a yesteryear celebrity in your label, who would it be and why?
RPS: Jim Morrison, Tupac Shakur and Jimi Hendrix, because I like their music.
ELLE: Tell us about your most recent show and your upcoming collection.
RPS: Our last show was the Lakmé finale, where we had the good fortune of working with some immensely talented people to put together a modern operatic theatrical performance. My next collection is still in the making and is our interpretation of the Great Indian Wedding– inspired by the poshak.
ELLE: What does slow fashion mean to you?
RPS: It is a pressing need in today’s environment. Some creators are genuinely embracing the effort, but more often than not, it is a shameless charade and marketing gimmick, which is unfortunate.
ELLE: What is the quintessential Rajesh Pratap Singh clientele like?
RPS: Hopefully, someone intelligent and fun. In a perfect world, our client would be someone we could share a meal and a laugh with without pretence.
ELLE: What does the future look like for the brand Rajesh Pratap Singh?
RPS: I am hyper-focused on the present, which is beautiful. Who has seen the future? It will unfold as and when and we cannot be presumptuous enough to think we can control it.
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Also read, DNA Of Indian Fashion: Rahul Mishra
