Reinforcing the most indigenous textiles and handlooms brought about a movement in the 21st century in the fashion circuit that mades its way to the modern woman’s wardrobe. It simply become a method to restore traditional handicrafts in easy breezy and effortless silhouettes that one could wear from day to night. In the early years, Urvashi Kaur knew designing was going to be her core strength after which she pursued formal education at Esmod in the city of love, Paris. She has assisted famous names internationally, from Marcel Marongiu to Lolita Lempika and Issey Miyake. After successfully participating year after year at the most prestigious Amazon Fashion Week and Lakme Fashion Week, only time has justified her distinctive work of art. Her sense of style has uniquely combined in her aesthetic belief of handwoven fabrics that meet modern day glamour. Certainly handcrafted to perfection is what she believes in!
Delicately handwoven fabrics in modern silhouettes have been an integral part of each & every one of her collections
1.What has your journey in the fashion industry been like so far? Like all journeys, there has been a mix of excitement, challenges, obstacles and landmarks. But most importantly it’s been an enriching adventure where I have learnt so much along the way and continue to do so. It’s also been a huge learning curve and I continue to gain so much insight from the various creative people that I work with including talented craftsmen and weavers from across the country. 2.What inspires you the most when you design every collection? Inspiration comes from multiple sources and it’s difficult to choose a particular element. At times it’s a lightbulb moment when one sees something in a particular way, or discovers a special quality in something that may otherwise be so ordinary. An inspiration can strike at any moment of the day, but for me textile has been key and always becomes the soul of each collection I set out to design. 3.How does a typical weekday look like for you? It’s hectic, and at times I can’t really even differentiate from weekdays and weekends! I like to get an early start and try and get a good work out with my trainer. Mornings are very important to me and I like to reflect, take some time to myself and chart out the day clearly in my head. Work days are packed with meetings, updates with my team and coordination with several different stores and online portals etc. I try to wrap up on time so that I get to spend some quality time with my kids and catch up with family, over dinner together. 4.If you were not a designer, what would you have been? It’s so hard to imagine my life doing something else since designing has been such an intrinsic part of my life and identity for so long. But I do love make up, so perhaps I could have explored that, and it is also a beautiful, creative medium of expression that I relate to.
Make these trendy & timeless runway hits a part of your wardrobe
5.What is it about textiles that has made you translate it in your collections? I have always felt that textiles are great markers of culture and civilization and have such an interesting story to tell. Coming from an army background, my parents and I travelled extensively during my childhood. These travels left a significant impression on me and I was always fascinated by the distinct nature of textiles depending on the remote regions that we travelled to. 6.What is your take on minimalistic fashion? Minimalism is a powerful movement that really transcends the creative realm and can actually be defined as a way of living. If it’s translated well, it can be a very deep, moving take on modern clothing. 7.Who has been your all time favorite model on the runway I have had the pleasure of working with several brilliant models over the years. Each of these girls have been instrumental in bringing a bit of their own personalities to the garments that they showcase. I find that the ones that stand out are the ones that have a unique and individual style of their own. This appeals to me as a creator since it adds a certain depth to my viewpoint. 8.The glocal style is trending more than ever in the 21st How did this trend revolve and come about? Our world is currently going through such a major upheaval. We are slowly turning back towards methods and ways of living that are in sync with nature and the environment. We are also celebrating the beauty and significance of our indigenous textile heritage. It is a rediscovery of sorts that is juxtaposed with modern lifestyle and is opening up a new frontier of conscious, responsible living. 9.Would you urge every Indian woman to own a handwoven clothing item? Most Indian women already own handwoven clothing items. What we need to do is work on accessible, contemporary and updated handwoven clothing that excites the modern Indian woman. 10.What can we look forward to in the next few months from you? As a person, I try to enjoy each moment as it comes and not obsess over the future. As a company, I try to create ethical and sustainable conditions for my employees as the business scales up and it’s a commitment that I’m constantly taking forward. I have also received massive interest in my brand from overseas, so we are gearing up for showcases in Europe. Most importantly it’s the joy of sharing the vision of a contemporary Indian glocal aesthetic with the world, one step at a time.
The lovely Neha Dhupia spotted in an ultra chic outfit by Urvashi Kaur at an Aza store event
Image courtesy: bollywoodlife.com
