Inspired by the East and West

She believes in creating a work space where ethics, principles and justice prevails, and to live away from the herd mentality. Designer Deepika Govind doesn’t like being bound by rules and according to her, she was always an idealist and believed in being a free spirit.

Her style is a blend of techniques from the East and the West. Unique silhouettes and traditional designs are her forte which makes her collection wearable and not just for the ramp. She describes her decision to become a fashion designer as “an accident — a quirk of fate”.

“While I was waiting for the State Services exam results,I attended some classes on fashion sketching conducted by an ex-FIT professor.” She adds, “That’s when the National Design Contest was held and I decided to participate. Though I did not win, my collection (based on the ancient land of Mesopot­amia) was hugely appreciated. This was the big leap into the unknown world of fabrics and I never looked back after. Now, it has become a day-to-day obsession.”

If not a designer, she says she would have been an environmentalist. She says, “I would have been an environmentalist with holistic living concepts, where I develop textiles and crafts for a sustainable living.” On the challenges she faces being a designer, she says, “It is a challenge to work in the disorganised sector.”

Her new collection is more dramatic and strong. Long dramatic ‘jamdani’ jackets with short skirts and delicate embroidered detailing, ‘Benaras’ is the flavour of the season. “Jackets, draped trousers and gored godet skirts are a few looks of my new collection.” Inclined more towards contemporary Indian clothing, most of her works involve bright colours, prints, drapes and local patterns.

Claude Monet is her inspiration, and she quotes him saying, “It’s on the observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly”. The creative process, she explains,  “is a cocktail of instincts, skills, culture and a highly creative feverishness. It is a particular state when everything happens quickly. It is a mixture of consciousness and unconsciousness of feat and pleasure.” She adds, “At the end of it all, all the true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness. And I truly believe that what you are shows clearly in your work.”   

Advising aspiring designers, she says, “One should be who they are and be rooted to their own land and its culture.” She adds, “I want to touch people with my art. If one’s work is created without emotions, it inspires no feelings in the wearer. It should be much more than just another pretty dress.”