Thursday

Sushma Patel Exclusive Preview

Bravura Artist Magazine recently had the chance to sit down with amazing fashion designer Sushma Patel, who gave us a sneak peak at her upcoming line! The summer is over, but that won’t stop acclaimed fashion designer Sushma Patel from letting bright colors rule the runway. The Atlanta based designer who has worked with many Bollywood stars including Akshay Kumar and Soha Ali Khan will be presenting her summer 2010 collection at Couture Fashion Week in NYC.  She chatted with me previewing her collection before the big unveil on September 11th.

Can you talk about your upcoming collection you will be showcasing at Couture Fashion Week?
I’m showcasing my summer 2010 collection which is inspired from India, specifically highlighting the colors and culture of Rajasthan. There is lots of draping like Indian saris with vibrant colors. We believe the colors (like orange, yellow and green) give you strength and help fight the enemy. I also have silver embroidery and lots of Swarovski crystals on fine fabrics like chiffon, silk chiffon, silk sateen and net. There are a lot of hand embroidery details with some of the outfits taking 20 days for 8 people to work on. I also have headgear to complete the outfits.

What are some of your favorite pieces?
I like all of the pieces, but one that is notable is green and tingling everywhere. It’s like mingling and jingling. It’s a really good outfit, it’s completely different work with crystal hanging around the outfit and it’s amazing. Maybe it will be the showstopper outfit.

Why did you pick Rajasthan’s colors as a focal point of your collection?
Rajasthan’s colors are vibrant and part of everyday life. I’ve loved Rajasthan from childhood not only because of the colors, but because of its rich culture. There is a lot to draw inspiration from.

In the past you’ve said that you are interested in having your designs appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers. What are some Indian designs and styles you would like to see become more integrated into western culture?
I do have a line called Ready to Wear which is in the pipeline, but right now I am focusing on couture. Ready to Wear is simple, casual and comfortable. The pieces are very flowy that anyone can wear, but I think it’s going to take some more time.

Who are other designers are you inspired by?
I like the collection from Kathleen Vontazato who is a Romanian designer and Elie Saab from Lebanon. He’s excellent.
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