8 International Designers Who Are Inspired By India

Text by Sadaf Shaikh

They talk about Indian textiles, creative opportunities, and love for this dynamic country

OLIVIA DAR
Founder of lifestyle and accessories brand Olivia Dar in New Delhi

Dar, who was born in Rome to a French family that moved to London and finally settled in Paris, rightly considers herself as somewhat of a nomad. She studied cinema in Paris and Montreal which fuelled her creativity and inspired her to take up designing.

1. On Indian elements that entice her“I have absolutely enjoyed discovering India, right from the top of the Himalayas to the core of Madhya Pradesh. There’s never been a dull moment here.”

2. On choosing India of all places “It’s a great place to hone creative talent because of the variety of crafts within different regions. In fact, I am headed to Udaipur very soon to see if I can develop a certain kind of embroidery that is soon disappearing. It would be a shame to lose any form of art in this country.”

3. On her clientele “Majority of my clients exhibit a passion for handcrafted products and I enjoy giving them a tour of the work in progress when they visit the studio.”

4. 3 adjectives that describe her brand “Handcrafted, bohemian and contemporary.”

5. On her inspiration “I follow a bunch of travel blogs and photographers and I’ve realised that I am greatly inspired by how women from different parts of the world dress. Last summer, I picked up some lovely antique embroideries from a flea market in Portugal and will incorporate it into my next collection.”

6. On future plans “About a year ago, I launched a capsule collection of unique upcycled garments like dresses and bomber jackets made out of vintage dresses, so I hope to always be working on fun ideas.”

7. On her favourite moment in India “That would most certainly be my surprise engagement party. My then fiancé and I were on our way to dinner and suddenly bumped into a full-fledged baraat on the streets of Delhi. Turns out it was my baraat – complete with a camel and a band playing along!”