His Kerala cotton collection during his debut at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2006 got him noticed. Back then, designer Rahul Mishra was part of NextGen, a platform for emerging designers to showcase their talent.
What was interesting about Rahul's collection? "I designed this 'reversible' collection for people who travel a lot. Basically, the clothes can be worn inside out. This can reduce the weight of your luggage by 50 per cent. Plus, Kerala cottons are very light," he says.
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The 27-year old designer, who just celebrated his birthday on November 7, has a lot going for him this year.
This includes winning the International Designer Award, an annual award by the Indian Apparel Federation; successfully completing a fashion programme at the Instituto Marangoni, Milan; marrying his college sweetheart; presenting a well-received show at the Lakme Fashion Week Spring Summer 2009; and launching a business venture to market his clothes.
"I'm from Malhausi, a small village 82 kilometres from Kanpur. I was home schooled there till I was six," reminisces Rahul. "When I joined school, the fees were Rs 7 per month. In Milan, I spent 250,000 per month!"
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EARLY BEGINNINGS
Apparently, street dogs and cows always inspired him.
"We had some farmland in Malhausi. My father was a government doctor and was always being transferred. My grandmother loved me a lot, so I lived with her. I think being close to Nature and seeing rural life at such close proximity have made me who I am today," he says.
Always the good student, Rahul got a double promotion, from standard one to three. His father wanted him to be an engineer or doctor because of his good scores. He never understood why Rahul wanted to take up designing. "We were at loggerheads for quite a long time about my career choice. Things were difficult," he remembers.
Then, NID (National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad) happened.
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Early into his first semester, his design lecturer asked students about their background in design (he got through the Master's programme without a fashion background).
Some of his classmates had worked with Rajesh Pratap Singh, an established Indian designer, and others had a fashion business background.
When Rahul told his lecturer that he had 'no history in fashion', his lecturer exclaimed, "Great!"
At first, Rahul thought the lecturer was pulling his leg. But then his lecturer said, "I can write on a blank slate, not on a written one. So unlearn. That's when you will learn more!"
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JUMPSTART AT FASHION WEEK
When Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week and the Lakme Fashion Week parted ways, Rahul Mishra got a chance to show his first collection. "No matter what people say, I have to be thankful for the split; it is the reason I (an emerging designer), got my first break. My Kerala reversible collection is STILL selling, today," he beams.
Design mantra
"I hate repeating myself and elements in my designs. I always aim to do something different and interesting," he shares. Rahul also likes "'following the map of India" when he designs. Post Kerala cottons, he worked on a handloom from Bhagalpur, Bihar.
"Now, I am using designs from central India (Maheshwari weaving from Indore)," says the young designer.
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GANDHIAN IDEAS
By virtue of using intricate art forms in his designs, Rahul aims to give artisans a platform to do business and make money. "It is like how Gandhi propagated small-scale industries. I am very influenced by him," he says.
"My role here is to give these people a name, a face. Once they get the popularity, they can expand their business. I can make money anyway; there are a thousand other sources to earn. But I do what I do to satisfy my soul. This is what I want to do. And that is why I am doing it," he says.
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TRIPPIN' IN MILAN
A design award gave Rahul a scholarship to study at the same prestigious fashion school as many international greats, immediately after his debut fashion week collection. The Instituto Marangoni at Milan, gave the world such design powerhouses as Armani, Moschino, Dolce and Gabbana.
Why a study break after a successful debut? "I remember speaking about this with Sabya (Sabyasachi Mukherjee, noted Indian designer), and he told me that the more knowledge one has, the better your creativity flows. So I just took up this scholarship and went to Milan," he says.
The experience was one to remember. While the institute taught him the essence of basics such as attention to detail and trend analysis, the outdoor projects gave him much insight into fashion as a lifestyle. "One of these projects was something called Fashion Flows. Just like how the seasons flow, we saw how fashion also 'flows'. It took us 75,000 photographs to figure that out," he remembers.
"But I was scared out there," says Rahul, "I was worried I would lose my Indian identity. Because that is one thing that I hold dear to my heart. I am always the Indian designer working with Indian fabric, and giving Indian clothes to the world."
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LOVE BLOOMS!
It was love at first sight for Rahul and his wife Divya. "She was three years my junior at NID, and we became good friends. When she joined, I was already on the verge of leaving for Milan. During my stay in Milan, I realised how much I missed her. My friends would go out and party on weekends, and I would be sitting in my room, talking to her on Skype! When I came back home the next time, I proposed," he smiles.
The lovebirds were married on February 14 (Valentine's Day), 2008.
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APPLE TREES
Rahul plans to launch The Apple Tree, a joint venture which will market his label, Rahul Mishra, as well as other design labels. He plans to open his own store soon.
"I read an article recently in a fashion magazine, on the top 100 fashion designers of all time. There was no Indian designer on that list. And I thought, my name would look nice there. My goal: be in the top 10!" he says, with conviction.
"I am a dreamer," he smiles. "And I am going to chase my dreams until I get them!"
Where you can buy Rahul's clothes:
In Mumbai:
Bombay Electric
Colaba
1, Reay House, BEST Marg,
Mumbai - 400001
Tel: (022) 2287.6276
Aza
Breach Candy
21, Altamount apartments, Altamount road, Near Kemps Corner,
Mumbai - 400026
Tel: (022) 2351.7616
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