Q&A Wednesday With Swapnil Shinde
A quick Q&A with designer Swapnil Shinde…
And, don’t forget to check out our Directory Page for more info on various designers…
1. As a designer, what inspires you? Have a muse?
As a designer one always expects you to have an inspiration….but somehow for me its always been about my music, what I’m listening to at that point in time….sometimes its “beedi” from Omkara..then there is the Bjork phase…at times its Britney Spears…hahaahah then there is world music….it’s always very diverse….thus my mood, and my music always reflects in my work….it’s good sometimes… bad at times… really tacky at times….perfect at times….but that’s the art of being creative…..though I must admit I do have my share of muses, mainly my models…Amrit Maghera and Mashoom Singha to be precise… these days its undoubtedly Priyanka Chopra in her short hair!
2. Are you a procrastinator or do you usually have your collections planned the moment an inspiration or idea takes root?
It would be good and ideal for me to say everything is always planned….but I must admit that there have been times when I have planned out my collection down to the sampling….then suddenly I would see a piece of architecture…or listen to an Italian song ….or for that matter a Versace gown which would build a whole new story on its own …so I guess it’s only fair to say I’m very spontaneous .
3. How has the high-end luxury brand influx in India changed the local fashion scene?
It’s made us as designers, and people in general more aware, and given fashion a certain sense of importance…people are considering it NOW a serious business, importance is given not just to finish and pricing but also marketing your brand…importance of brand ambassadors etc.
5. How much of an effect has global recession had on the ‘design’ process? Is this a time when prices should be cut, or staying put and riding it out is better?
For me recession has not been an issue mainly because my costing has always been affordable from the day I began my business, my clientele is the young college going girl who can’t afford a 40,000 dress but can chip out 6000 to 8000 for an evening attire and thus my design process has never suffered, my brand has always been sexy, fresh, but very edgy and not predictable….but most importantly very affordable.
6. Who is that one Indian celebrity that you are just itching to give a make-over to? Don’t hold back on us!?
Although I believe everyone is entitled to make mistakes as we are only human, I would most certainly love to do a makeover with Vidya Balan not because of how she is now as I think she looks fine…but I personally believe she is undoubtedly sexy and has an aura which is undeniable…but needs more help where it comes to westernwear….enter SWAPNIL SHINDE
7. Five essentials that should take us through the seasons this year?
Mini handbags in dirty colours (get rid of acids and juicy), a fitted to flare black dress, sunglasses, a super cool customized laptop bag, masculine chunky watches.
10. And finally…
a. One word that describes you? Spontaneous b. A trend you wish would go away? c. A trend you can’t get enough of? d. Shoes or bags? e. If you weren’t a designer, you would be? f. One thing Swapnil Shinde cannot live without? |
Swapnil Shinde Fall 2009
Image courtesy: Yahoo