With the palaces and forts of Rajasthan as his muse, designer Rajdeep Ranawat recently launched his Spring Summer 2017 line (SS'17 Collection) in Paris. The 36-year-old, who has launched 32 collections so far, is exhibiting his latest, 'The Palaces', at the Amazon India Fashion Week Summer Spring' 17. He speaks to Jayashree Narayanan about the line, his inspiration and more.
Tell us about your design journey.
After schooling at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, I went on to graduate from The National Institute of Fashion Technology in 2000. I gained exposure and experience with a French fashion house, Ishwar, SA, where I was trained in European embroideries, colours, and silhouettes under the guidance of various French designers. I then assumed the role of the chief designer for a New York-based fashion house for brands such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor — which gave me a good understanding of the business. I finally launched my own label 'Rajdeep Ranawat', synonymous to women with an aura of glamour and charisma, in 2004.
After schooling at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, I went on to graduate from The National Institute of Fashion Technology in 2000. I gained exposure and experience with a French fashion house, Ishwar, SA, where I was trained in European embroideries, colours, and silhouettes under the guidance of various French designers. I then assumed the role of the chief designer for a New York-based fashion house for brands such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor — which gave me a good understanding of the business. I finally launched my own label 'Rajdeep Ranawat', synonymous to women with an aura of glamour and charisma, in 2004.
What is your new collection about?
We have explored the state of Rajasthan, with palaces and forts that shout out sagas of old glory and exquisite decor. Such exquisiteness can be witnessed through the remnants of the wall art beautifully preserved within the interiors. Exploring and capturing the surviving motifs and elegant colour schemes of these, I have presented a collection with a fresh take on such vintage wall art. Also, the designs have been split into multiple themes based on the usage of various motifs and colours and named after the six heritage cities of Rajasthan — Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Samode and Jaipur. One will see rich silk-based fabrics, embellished with genuine crystal from Swarovski, complementing the design elegance of 'The Palace'.
We have explored the state of Rajasthan, with palaces and forts that shout out sagas of old glory and exquisite decor. Such exquisiteness can be witnessed through the remnants of the wall art beautifully preserved within the interiors. Exploring and capturing the surviving motifs and elegant colour schemes of these, I have presented a collection with a fresh take on such vintage wall art. Also, the designs have been split into multiple themes based on the usage of various motifs and colours and named after the six heritage cities of Rajasthan — Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Samode and Jaipur. One will see rich silk-based fabrics, embellished with genuine crystal from Swarovski, complementing the design elegance of 'The Palace'.
Why Rajasthan?
Being a Rajput, my roots lay within the beauty of the state. Thus, I wanted to portray its art and culture by following the trend palette and incorporated contemporary silhouettes.
Being a Rajput, my roots lay within the beauty of the state. Thus, I wanted to portray its art and culture by following the trend palette and incorporated contemporary silhouettes.
What does the line comprise?
It's a mix of European and Indian silhouettes, keeping in mind the woman of today who travels for work or pleasure and is in touch with global trends, a woman who is fashion conscious but needs comfort in her clothing. Shirts, bohemian tops, tunics, resort kaftans, palazzo pants, slim skirts, jumpsuits and dresses have been featured along with a range of scarves and stoles to complete the look.
It's a mix of European and Indian silhouettes, keeping in mind the woman of today who travels for work or pleasure and is in touch with global trends, a woman who is fashion conscious but needs comfort in her clothing. Shirts, bohemian tops, tunics, resort kaftans, palazzo pants, slim skirts, jumpsuits and dresses have been featured along with a range of scarves and stoles to complete the look.
Can you describe your design process?
I travel for inspiration, take photographs for motifs and then draw sketches for a new collection. Thereafter, we create six groups of colour stories and divide the collection into these. Illustrations and art work are then hand-drawn and painted and combined with the original photographs taken by me to engineer on the patterns. The fabrics are printed and stitched with embellishments, a campaign and a look-book photo shoot is done to create the mood of the theme so that it can be portrayed easily to the consumers.
I travel for inspiration, take photographs for motifs and then draw sketches for a new collection. Thereafter, we create six groups of colour stories and divide the collection into these. Illustrations and art work are then hand-drawn and painted and combined with the original photographs taken by me to engineer on the patterns. The fabrics are printed and stitched with embellishments, a campaign and a look-book photo shoot is done to create the mood of the theme so that it can be portrayed easily to the consumers.
What inspires you?
Everything around me, but nature, art and architecture play a vital role.
Everything around me, but nature, art and architecture play a vital role.
With the palaces and forts of Rajasthan as his muse, designer Rajdeep Ranawat recently launched his Spring Summer 2017 line (SS’17 Collection) in Paris. The 36-year-old, who has launched 32 collections so far, is exhibiting his latest, 'The Palaces’, at the Amazon India Fashion Week Summer Spring’ 17. He speaks to Jayashree Narayanan about the line, his inspiration and more.
Tell us about your design journey.
After schooling at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, I went on to graduate from The National Institute of Fashion Technology in 2000. I gained exposure and experience with a French fashion house, Ishwar, SA, where I was trained in European embroideries, colours, and silhouettes under the guidance of various French designers. I then assumed the role of the chief designer for a New York-based fashion house for brands such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor — which gave me a good understanding of the business. I finally launched my own label 'Rajdeep Ranawat’, synonymous to women with an aura of glamour and charisma, in 2004.
After schooling at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, I went on to graduate from The National Institute of Fashion Technology in 2000. I gained exposure and experience with a French fashion house, Ishwar, SA, where I was trained in European embroideries, colours, and silhouettes under the guidance of various French designers. I then assumed the role of the chief designer for a New York-based fashion house for brands such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor — which gave me a good understanding of the business. I finally launched my own label 'Rajdeep Ranawat’, synonymous to women with an aura of glamour and charisma, in 2004.
What is your new collection about?
We have explored the state of Rajasthan, with palaces and forts that shout out sagas of old glory and exquisite decor. Such exquisiteness can be witnessed through the remnants of the wall art beautifully preserved within the interiors. Exploring and capturing the surviving motifs and elegant colour schemes of these, I have presented a collection with a fresh take on such vintage wall art. Also, the designs have been split into multiple themes based on the usage of various motifs and colours and named after the six heritage cities of Rajasthan — Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Samode and Jaipur. One will see rich silk-based fabrics, embellished with genuine crystal from Swarovski, complementing the design elegance of 'The Palace’.
We have explored the state of Rajasthan, with palaces and forts that shout out sagas of old glory and exquisite decor. Such exquisiteness can be witnessed through the remnants of the wall art beautifully preserved within the interiors. Exploring and capturing the surviving motifs and elegant colour schemes of these, I have presented a collection with a fresh take on such vintage wall art. Also, the designs have been split into multiple themes based on the usage of various motifs and colours and named after the six heritage cities of Rajasthan — Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Samode and Jaipur. One will see rich silk-based fabrics, embellished with genuine crystal from Swarovski, complementing the design elegance of 'The Palace’.
Why Rajasthan?
Being a Rajput, my roots lay within the beauty of the state. Thus, I wanted to portray its art and culture by following the trend palette and incorporated contemporary silhouettes.
Being a Rajput, my roots lay within the beauty of the state. Thus, I wanted to portray its art and culture by following the trend palette and incorporated contemporary silhouettes.
What does the line comprise?
It’s a mix of European and Indian silhouettes, keeping in mind the woman of today who travels for work or pleasure and is in touch with global trends, a woman who is fashion conscious but needs comfort in her clothing. Shirts, bohemian tops, tunics, resort kaftans, palazzo pants, slim skirts, jumpsuits and dresses have been featured along with a range of scarves and stoles to complete the look.
It’s a mix of European and Indian silhouettes, keeping in mind the woman of today who travels for work or pleasure and is in touch with global trends, a woman who is fashion conscious but needs comfort in her clothing. Shirts, bohemian tops, tunics, resort kaftans, palazzo pants, slim skirts, jumpsuits and dresses have been featured along with a range of scarves and stoles to complete the look.
Can you describe your design process?
I travel for inspiration, take photographs for motifs and then draw sketches for a new collection. Thereafter, we create six groups of colour stories and divide the collection into these. Illustrations and art work are then hand-drawn and painted and combined with the original photographs taken by me to engineer on the patterns. The fabrics are printed and stitched with embellishments, a campaign and a look-book photo shoot is done to create the mood of the theme so that it can be portrayed easily to the consumers.
I travel for inspiration, take photographs for motifs and then draw sketches for a new collection. Thereafter, we create six groups of colour stories and divide the collection into these. Illustrations and art work are then hand-drawn and painted and combined with the original photographs taken by me to engineer on the patterns. The fabrics are printed and stitched with embellishments, a campaign and a look-book photo shoot is done to create the mood of the theme so that it can be portrayed easily to the consumers.
What inspires you?
Everything around me, but nature, art and architecture play a vital role.
Everything around me, but nature, art and architecture play a vital role.