At a time when his colleagues were leaving no stone unturned to out do each other in fashion weeks at home, Manish Arora was busy creating space for himself in the fashion capital of the world.
Today, he is one of the most sought after Indian names in the global fashion industry. Complacency has not been able to get the better of him despite his collections consistently being one of the most prized ones at the Paris Fashion Week.
While his compatriots still vouch for his originality, insightful ideas and conveying stimulating stories while selling visual vocabulary of the East to the West, Manish remains grounded and a man of few words. “My research comes from my inspiration and I do not plan on repeating my mistakes from the previous seasons,” says Manish who has recently collaborated with the Pearl Academy as as an ideation partner.
Excerpts:
What kind of challenges did you face before making an impact in France and the U.K.?
Any journey comes with its ups and downs. Being completely new to the international scenario, everything contributed to my learning. Challenges remain challenges if you do not learn from them. In my case, they did not seem like challenges as I used the situations as stepping stones on the path to knowledge and learning.
Story telling forms an important part of your fashion vocabulary...
Anything can inspire me. Stories are the best way to showcase what inspires you. I do not restrict myself to a particular area for inspiration. Unless the collection spins a story on the ramp, it is just people walking in clothes. My garments reflect the stories at every level possible – prints, embroideries, accessories.
I use my personal mantra to convey that life is beautiful in every aspect of my life. I am a firm believer that there is beauty all around us in various life forms. I express this sentiment in the best way I can by designing and making masterpieces out of fabrics.
How do animals like monkeys and antelopes find way into your creations?
They usually fall into the narrative. I do not have to go out of the way to look for a particular animal that would fit in my story. It just happens that I come across one.
What should we expect from your latest collection?
My latest collection titled “Orange is the New Zen” is an incorporation of the idea of Zen Buddhism and meditation, which is also an important part of my personal routine. The collection weaves a story by taking you on a beautiful journey through rituals of the monks, cherry blossom to the various mystical creatures of Pagan legends.
How do you arrive at a blend between the East and the West through your fashion vocabulary? Some feel that you are rewriting fashion rules...
There is a stark difference in the way things are done in the East and the West. I see that using a harmonious blend of colours and silhouettes is one of the ways to find the middle ground. This thought reflects in my collections that I show every year. I do not believe in binding anything in rules. My aesthetics and my creations are the biggest example always a step aside from the mainstream. Having said that, how can I rewrite the fashion rules?
How do you assimilate Indian art, architecture and embroidery in your work?
India is a land rich in culture and traditions. I try to create this colourful image of various elements that our country has through intricate embroideries and prints in my collection. The embroidery forms such as chikankari and zardozai are unique in their techniques and outcome. I chose not to alter them in anyway, lest they lose their aesthetics. All I can do is mould them in my style and create something unique.
You have made bright colours acceptable in the West...
I believe that they already are an in-thing in the West. I just try to bring them out in the mainstream by using them extensively in my collections. Since I have been around colours all my life, it comes naturally for me to incorporate them in my work.
How do you plan to pass on your knowledge?
India has a plethora of talent. My collaboration with the Pearl Academy aims to provide the required learning and international exposure to the students enabling them to create a mark across the world. Students from fashion design and luxury brands course will get to intern and accompany me to the Paris Fashion Week twice a year. The students will get an opportunity to design a collection under my guidance and these would then be retailed at the Academy’s exclusive pop-up store.
