DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: The collection 'Bird of Passage' is influenced by the aspect of 'movement' in life.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: My main focus through this collection has been to make designs that are wearable and meticulously crafted. I aim to achieve a look that encourages women to identify their bourne and move past it. The cut, the color and the complete look of this collection is designed to elicit, poise, oomph and self-confidence.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
: I plan to take this collection further by exploring it and developing more designs under the same concept in future.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: It took me and my design team close to three months from the inception of the idea to the idealization of the collection.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
: I chose ‘movement’ as an inspiration for this collection. This concept seamlessly braced my inclination to create power silhouettes for a modern self-dependent woman. As my research on this concept deepened I reached to understand that there were several aspects to my influence that could be beautifully translated into designs.
It also offered me the freedom to work with various silhouettes, elements and colours, which in turn reassured me to pursue it.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
: The collection ‘Bird of Passage’ was developed in my production facility in Thane, India and is currently being sold under my label Pamilone. I am open to any collaboration opportunities for producing and selling this collection under my label.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
: With this collection I wanted to create an empowering look for a woman, a design that envelopes and highlights her personality rather than drowning her in the design. I believe the minimalism that runs through this collection adopts the language of strength, femininity and audacity.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
: We cater to the modern women; bold and self-assured, geographies can neither define nor distinguish these women. The personality of our audience gives us the fluidity to cater to women internationally.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
: I believe a concept like movement is often represented by rather flamboyant designs; the non-frivolous take on this theme definitely sets it apart from any other concepts with similar inspirations.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
: The collection’s name ‘Bird of Passage’, refers to a transient; someone who moves around and is not bound by space or time. I feel this name beautifully unravels the essence of the inspiration, given the ideology and the mood of the collection.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
: I believe in the philosophy less is more, when I design I aim to achieve a look that is simplified and minimal in spite of the complexities involved in the process of development. I consider this semblance of simplicity to be the unique aspect that embraces the collection.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
: I worked with my team which included a pattern master, tailors and seamstresses to develop this collection in my label’s in-house production facility. ‘Bird of Passage’ is a product of intense experimentation with different techniques, fabric manipulation and paneling details, conducted in my studio.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
: I follow a thorough research routine for all my design collections. For the collection, Bird of Passage I have focused my research on the power silhouettes for women through history. This research enabled me to understand the impression created by the status and social respect of women on the fashion silhouettes. It served as guidelines to create a range of power silhouettes for the present that resonate confidence and femininity.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
: This collection employs several skills of fabric manipulation and pattern modification which were laborious and time consuming. I had envisioned this collection to strike a perfect balance between a feminine and empowering look. The challenging aspect while designing this collection was maintaining the femininity through the designs that were bold, unfettering and far from being overshadowed by masculinity.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
: I received an invitation from an A’Design Award representative for nominating my designs, which encouraged me to submit my design collection for the international design competition.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
: I admire the language of minimalism conveyed through structured construction. Through this collection I have learnt to define my designs with a semblance of simplification. I explored the area of androgynous fashion, some pattern making and handcrafting techniques. I was also able to achieve an empowering look through bold feminine cuts and details.