FASHION

If there is something absolutely striking about eminent fashion designer Rohit Verma, it is his unapologetic, outspoken nature and zest for life that reflects in his marvelous designs as well. Hailing from a family of academic intellectuals, Rohit’s success story into the world of fashion despite facing stiff family opposition has all the makings of a Bollywood potboiler. Today as one of the leading designers of India, Rohit has made his country proud with his traditional designs that has showcased India’s rich heritage. In this chat with CINE BUSTER to SONUP SAHADEVAN, Rohit opens up about his foray into the world of fashion and the need for designers to unify to make India a fashion superpower.

 

How did you develop an interest for fashion design?
I come from an intellectual family background. My dad always wanted me to be an engineer but I fancied fashion, clothes and fabric, because these things always excited me a lot. That time however, fashion designing was not in vogue and people used to term designers as tailors.That was how fashion designing was seen then. Also in those days it was a tradition wherein if father is a doctor, his son also had to be a doctor or if father is an engineer, the son also had to be an engineer. I wanted to break that trend and create my own identity by choosing my own professional line. When in school, I decided that fashion design is something I wanted to do and this is what makes me happy.

How did your family react to this decision of yours?
My family reacted very badly as my dad was against my decision. In 1996, I came to Mumbai and it took them nearly 10 years to accept me. I faced lots of challenges and difficulties but always believed in Lord Krishna. It was he who kept on guiding me all the way.

How challenging was your stay in Mumbai when you first arrived here?
When I came to Mumbai, I faced a lot of challenges. I started my career from Ulhasnagar. I used to stay in a Dharamsala. I then took admission in a fashion institute and after that started designing for music videos and things kept on falling in place. When you are determined and god- conscious, miracles do happen and it kept happening. In 1996, I got my first break and became a fashion choreographer and started choreographing shows and since then there has been no looking back. I did Lakme and many other shows including jewellery ones. I was always bold, unapologetic and honest and all these worked for me. Slowly and steadily by 2000, I launched my own label.

How was the response from fashion fraternity when you started out?
I have never cared for or acknowledged whether people have been responding to my collections or not. I have always invented my own path and always been focused on my work. I was not in touch with anybody and nobody has passed good or bad comments on my collection.

Where do you derive your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from everything. From human beings to nature to skies, I get inspired by a lot of things. Whether you are in a flight or stuck a heavy traffic jam, you can still get inspired from those situations and places. I recently launched a graveyard collection which was much talked about. So creativity has no limits.

“I got my first break and started choreographing shows and since then there has been no looking back. “

Every fashion designer has a muse. Who is yours?
I have many muses who I am dying to work with. I would love to work with Rekhaji, who is beautiful and graceful. I love Angeline Jolie. So there is no particular person I would like to name. Everytime when we come with different ideas, we get attracted to different people. These days I am loving Sonam Kapoor a lot because of the way she is carrying herself. So there is no one particular muse as such in my case.

How do you the see the fashion scene today in India?
We have to give a lot more. There is a lot of politics in the fashion industry too.There are so many fashion weeks happening where everyone is trying to create his or her own inimitable benchmark. But people forget that we are Indians. We should be proud of our culture. We have many different kinds of cultures in India. Every religion has its own culture and tradition. Rajasthani , Punjabi , Gujarati and Malayalam in Kerala is different. India has so much more to offer. We have more than 3000 different embroideries. We are the largest manufacturers of cotton. So we all need to think we are one. I am proud to be an Indian designer. I am such a person who will go ahead and appreciate others works.

Who are the designers you appreciate a lot and also admire?
I like the designs of Amit Aggarwal, Gaurav Gupta and Surya S. I am proud that they are part of my country and my country can set easily a fabulous global benchmark if we will all be one. Only If we do not fight, or hamper each other and keep our egos aside, can we become a global fashion superpower. India is a land of colours because we have so much to offer. Even westerners are aping Indian fabrics and colours. We are the largest manufacturer of cotton, jute and khadi. So when the whole fashion industry come together and become one, India will not be behind Milan and Paris but become the No 1 fashion destination.

“Only if we do not fight or hamper each other and keep our egos aside, can we become a global fashion superpower.”

Why doesn’t everyone else share your thought process which seems to be right ?
Everyone’s mindset is different. Everyone wants to create and hog the limelight as they want. I am not here to comment on anybody. But I will say this. Love has no gender, no form or shape. I never talk bad about any designer. Everybody has his or her own challenges.

What has been your most challenging design till date?
My Kamasutra collection was a difficult one to create as it had a lot of stitches in it. I also wanted it to look very classy which it did finally. Recently I discovered an organic fabric and have been working on my Maha Kumbh collection which is extremely close to my heart. It is very beautiful and has its own fabric and yarns. It will be a dramatic clothing line that I will be launching next month.

Why do we see fewer supermodels today as compared to 90s?
Competition is becoming tough now. Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to become a model. There are so many fashion weeks happening. Earlier we just had one fashion week but now there are millions. People are becoming fashion conscious. So if there is more demand , the competition is also bound to be tough. Many people come from Ludhiana, Chandigarh and other Northern parts to become models. But when you are confident enough, got that style which also keeps you apart and also destiny is on your side, you can easily become a supermodel today. In the earlier days, there was no competition and we used to have supermodels easily. That is not the case now. Also many supermodels have opted for retirement while others want to try their luck in Bollywood and are already in films.What is the harm? Everybody wants to progress. Today if I get a State level award, I would like to receive a national award next. So if a person who is a model wants to be more successful and famous, he or she will want to get in Bollywood. Nothing wrong with that thinking.

“The budding fashion designers should always believe in themselves and their concepts.”

We do see Bollywood stars as show stoppers at every fashion week. Is that a good thing?
I am against it. I think the media which gets very excited have created this trend. I am not against Bollywood stars but when they come, it takes the focus away from the collection. Controversy sells at the end of the day. So you talk more about the celebrity and less about the collection and clothes. The poor designers often get stuck in trying to get stars.

There are a lot of foreign models who are currently modeling in India. Is that a good sign?
Indian models are also going abroad. Ujjwala Raut, Lakshmi Menon and many others went and did well there. It’s a blend of both. When we open doors to other countries, their doors will also open automatically for us. We all are one. There should be no racism. I am not against foreign models coming here. Nobody is kicking anybody’s stomach. Everybody is making his or her own money. If a model is good and carrying a garment well on the ramp, I don’t see any problem with him or her working here irrespective of where he or she is from.

Do you plan to come up with a collection for the LGBT community?
I am a proud gay. Love has no gender. I am cool and unapologetic and this is the way I am. People come to my store not because of my sexuality but because I am talented. We are not a disease in society. People say we are a free country. Are we really free? We still discriminate people saying he is gay, he is poor, he is rich and by attaching other tags. When I tried showing my colour palette to the world, they named me. But it doesn’t affect me because nobody is running my kitchen. It is just a mentality and upbringing of our culture because of which we are still staying very backward. There are millions of Rohit Vermas staying in very small places but they don’t have any exposure. This is where the media today has to step in and bring them into the limelight and impart them knowledge. If gay marriages are made legal in India, a lot of children will get adopted and get shelters. Gays can be the best parents ever.

Finally, what is your message for budding fashion designers?
The budding fashion designers should always believe in themselves and their concepts. I’d advise everyone to be always confident and remember to put out the best of what you have.