Fashion: a way of life

Expert talk

In a conversation with A Varsha Rao, celebrity designer Rocky S talks about blending tradition with trends and putting comfort first

T he creations of fashion designer Rocky S are patriotic: no, they don’t have the tricolour splashed across them. They are all about traditional craft techniques portrayed in the most modern and unconventional ways. While he makes his mark on both national and international platforms, Rocky remains firmly rooted in his culture.

“As a designer, it is essential for me to create new styles in fashion but it is equally important to sustain our existing traditional crafts and techniques,” says Rocky.

Maybe that’s why his latest spring-summer collection, Shringara, showcased at the London Fashion Week, was all about vintage crafts and embroidery in high fashion styles. He says the collection was inspired by the women of today’s world: strong, independent, yet very feminine.

Rocky comes from an accounting and business family and studied commerce. But he soon realised that his real interest was design and hence, shifted careers. After finishing his education in commerce, he chose to make a career in the highly-competitive industry of fashion, which was quite a modern thing to do back then. Reflecting on his journey, Rocky attributes all his success to hard work and a desire to excel. “Looking back, my years in the industry have truly been invigorating; a long climb, but a worthwhile one,” says this young designer, for whom fashion is more than just clothes.

Like every other fashion designer, Rocky too is associated with Bollywood, both in terms of celebrity and movie styling. His client list includes the who’s who of Hollywood and Bollywood. Remember the Pussycat Dolls all dolled up in black saris with golden border? Or the beautiful bridal attire of Katrina Kaif in the movie Singh is Kinng? Rocky S is the man behind them all. The designer strongly believes that fashion and comfort go hand in hand and that the most important thing a woman should wear is confidence, which only comes from being comfortable in their own skin and in what they are wearing.

With a flourishing label, an envious celebrity client list and growing international fame, Rocky S is here to stay. In an exclusive conversation with Deccan Herald, this fashion designer talks about all things fashion.

In India, how has women’s fashion evolved over the years?

We Indians have a rich traditional background and we love to stay true to it. That said, with the passage of time, the fashion choices of women have changed. Women today are more confident and powerful than they were a decade ago. They have careers and are bold enough to voice their thoughts. Their lifestyle and fashion preferences have begun to mirror that change. The traditional kurtas have been replaced by bold, fashionable suits. Even those comfortable with kurtas have a variety of options to choose from and different ways of styling available to them.

Moreover, women today are open to experimenting with their clothes. This evolution of women’s fashion has created a wave in the industry. Additionally, fashion is cyclical in nature and as the cycle repeats itself, it is also evolving. A trend never comes back the same way. It is reinvented to suit the contemporary women of today.

Do you believe Indian fashion is doing well on the global scale?

I believe fashion is a way of life. It is a global phenomenon; it cannot be restricted to a certain area, city, country or continent. A trend that starts in the West, finds its way to the East. Similarly, designers across the world are trying to make their mark beyond borders and across continents. This directly contributes to the growth of fashion and the rise of trends. The exchange of trends, cultures and techniques is what makes fashion more than just a piece of cloth.

It is an amalgamation of creative ideas across the world.

On the other hand, Indian designs are in par with international fashion and trends and we understand, as a fraternity, that we are growing and will soon be a force to reckon with. India’s rich cultural heritage and use of traditional crafts and techniques is what attracts the attention of the West and we as creative people are using it to our best.

Some must-haves in every woman’s wardrobe…

A classic white shirt, basic blue denims, a little black dress and a nice pair of comfortable heels.

Trends in women’s fashion…

As I mentioned earlier, fashion is cyclical in nature; old trends return, reinvented in different styles. We will see silk blouses, peplum shirts and billowing trapeze tops make their way back onto the runway this season. This autumn-winter, the fashion mantra is to go bold in undaunted styles. Get submerged in mauve and maroons, electro furs, couture reds and deep greens that ruled the runways. This winter will welcome a pop of colour and print on sharp shoulders, emphasised waists, pleats and puffy volume styles. Bold yet elegant fashion will take the streets this season.

The fashion industry and its reach…

The fashion industry’s outreach has expanded as compared to a decade ago, making way for a lot of budding designers to showcase their talent and the existing contemporaries to push the boundaries. Moreover, fashion today has a voice and designers are ready to express their thoughts.

The industry has begun to realise the power of this platform and thus has started using it to touch upon pressing social issues. Through this platform, we need to work on sustaining our crafts and make sensible and ethical use of the available resources.

For women who want a bit of both Indian and Western designs in their attire, what would you suggest?

The key to a perfect Indo-Western look is to mix and match. You can pair a simple choli or embroidered crop top with a pair of well-fitted pants. Another alternative is to wear a classic tee with a long skirt and embroidered jacket. You can accessorise with elegant jhumkas and a nice pair of flats.

Tell us about the process of designing for celebrities…

Designing for celebrities is a collaboration of two sensibilities. The looks created are according to someone else’s vision merging with your aesthetic. The ability to understand and deliver what they have in mind is a creative process. I love seeing friends and celebrities wear my designs and love it as much as I do. It is very gratifying.

Most common mistakes women commit when it comes to fashion...

The most common mistake people make is to follow trends blindly. It is good to experiment but putting comfort first is a must. When people who are not comfortable in what they wear, it shows through their body language. Also, Indians are blessed with curves. We must wear clothes and accessories that highlight these curves.

Some words of wisdom for aspiring fashion designers?

Hard work and passion is the key to success. There is no other mantra that can lead you to the top. You need to be prepared for the struggle.

My advice for aspiring designers would be to think of sustainability and understand your responsibility to preserve traditional crafts and not let them fade away. Lastly, love what you do, believe in yourself and trust your instincts. The rest shall follow.