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Richa Kapoor (Chennai Designer)

Delhi born designer Richa Kapoor, now residing in Chennai, has been inspired by the wonders of creativity at an early age. Designing since the age of eight, be it making collages from gunny bags as a child or the unique craftsmanship that she produces now, she has been inspired by nature and the elements. Her colours surreal bring the richness of nature blended in harmony with the present creating a spectacle of vision. She experiments boldly, which are shown in the colours that she uses. Speaking to her one would find an innocent simplicity which shows in her creations. After a recent visit to Africa, a wide eyed Richa reflects on the awesomeness and her words reflect her work.

'“When I watched zebra’s striding on natures carpet (grass) in African grassland, I am inspired to indulge with ‘Black and White’, and I feel like setting it apart with an abundance of ‘Green’ rather than ‘Yellow’ in the background which was always my preference this far. I see my design as an expression of our aspirations with limitless boundaries, always ahead in time.”'

The time she spent at NIFT has been a grand memorable experience which enhanced her creative ideas a step further. Her style is classic, bohemian, funky and chic with a lot of appeal. She sees her creation as feminine, loose, relaxed, casual and charming. She creates timeless collections with an attitude, yet free spirited, whimsical with earthy sensuality, reflecting comfort and individuality.

Her creation is about mixing the old with the new, trendy with classics and vintage, with loose cuts, ruffles and layers. The fabrics she prefers are close to nature too, cottons, cotton tusser, hand woven fabric intricately embedded with handwork, beaded embroideries, rich antique pita and ethnic thread giving my creation a rich and classic feel with hints of retro and boho chic attached to it.

Her most recent collection was inspired by Indian royalty known for larger than life living, always opulent and many a times beautifully extravagant. She used rich garments with wonderful craftsmanship in apparels as well as jewellery which seeped in Indian tradition yet managing to be globally inspiring. A collection which tried reclaiming the princely heritage and reliving those forgotten chapters of Indian royalty. It targeted Indian festivities as a great time to go all out and dress extravagant and opulent. She called it "Opulence for the Diva".

The colours she used for this collection were bold and electric ranging from blues, pinks, peaches, greens. The fabrics used were a rich riot of sheer net Satins, Brocades, Banarsies and Georgettes. The collection comprised of sarees which were traditional yet global in their stylizations, heavily ornated Lehngas, Ghaghras and the evergreen Anarkalies.

A collection that brings out the glamorous diva - "todays woman" who walks the red carpet of life.

Richa’s vision is to see Chennai on the global fashion Map, introducing an attitude of adventure in dressing up. She believes that “If one dares to be different, trend naturally follows” and she believes “in living our spirit one experiences freedom – a freedom to be different”.

Times of India

The Hindu - The emerging brigade

The Hindu - Perfect Mix

Stylekandy

Outlook Magazine