Rajesh Pratap Singh

Last updated

Rajesh Pratap Singh (born 1969 [1] ) is a noted fashion designer from India, based in New Delhi.

Contents

Singh originally from Rajasthan, graduated from NIFT, Delhi in 1994, however he was trained with New Delhi–based designer David Abraham for a year, before graduating. He, further went to work with the Italian menswear label, Marzotto for two years. [1] Singh started his own line of men's and women's clothing in 1997 after his experience of twelve years in the fashion industry in India and Italy. The designer is known for his minimalism and understated design aesthetics with a sharp eye for detailings. Pratap's exploration with fabric texturing and most prominently his creative usage of pin tucks has almost become synonymous to the label. The key to his work lies in simplicity, clean cuts and flawless detailings. The designer's belief in silence is reflected in the name of his pret line RIP (Rest in Peace). Pratap has showcased in collections in Paris and Milan as well apart from India [2] [3] He is also the Associate Design member of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

Personal life

Singh comes from the family of doctors from Rajasthan. [4] [5] His father, being a cardiologist, expected him to take up medicine. However, Pratap was inclined towards his cousin profession who was a costume assistant on a BBC production set in India. [1] The designer is often termed to be a recluse [6] and a media-shy person as he believes that people should associate themselves with his work instead of his name. His wife Payal works alongside him. [7]

Pratap is a rock climber and a regular biker and remarked in an interview that he is attracted to the machine as it is an engineered product with a certain precision that gives him a sense of the carefree. The designer also feels that travelling helps in evolving creativity. [8]

Career

In 2006, Pratap's spring summer collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) was widely appreciated, bringing him into the spotlight of the year's fashion event. The designer's summer collection instead of revolving around the colour white had fluorescent line of limes and yellows combined with rich reds. Maintaining his signature style of pin tucks, the collection also played with the concepts of yokes, ribs and sequins. The most striking feature of the range was the unusual individuality of each garment although they were worked in and around the same concept. [9]

In 2007, Wills Lifestyle introduced the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week line by Rajesh Pratap Singh for which the designer created the range of menswear and womenswear with his signature minimal styling. Products offered in the line included shirts, jackets, popovers etc. for men and shirt dresses, tunics, shirts and evening gowns etc. for women. The range was designed to suit formal as well informal occasions. [10]

In 2008, Rajesh showcased spring summer 2009 collection at Paris Fashion Week which was positively received. The focus of the collection was the play of fabrics such as cotton and organza. The designer also experimented with the colour palette by using bright hues such as fuchsias and corals. With wearable, clean and structured cuts, the products were well appreciated. [11]

In the same year, Pratap showcased is autumn winter line in the WIFW titled Valentino Rossi meets Mother Teresa, Biker's Jacket meet the Saree depicting glimpses of India to the West in a completely new manner. Black dominated the pallette with an underplay of electric blues, magentas and reds. The range showcased varied amalgamation of silhouettes such as one-piece dresses in textured leathers, dhoti pants, double-breasted and angrakha-jackets, and short jerseys paired with churidar-pants, as well as long skirts embellished with silver patterns. The collection came out to be an interesting combination of tough biker look and soft Indian elegance. [12]

In 2010, the designer took the theme of Bespoke Tales projecting the progression of the art of tailoring as seen by the tailor. Showcasing the grand finale autumn winter collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week titled Us and Them depicting the perception of the fashion industry by the non-industry people. The key highlight of the collection was the utilitarian significance such as the wide use of double cloth which could be worn inside out, the concept of reversible garment and the use of unwoven fabrics. The colour pallette had the dominance of black, red and blue with products ranging from dresses, jackets and trenchcoats to name a few. [13] [14] [15]

Singh also showcased his collection at the Van Heusen India Men's Week (VHIMW) in the same year. The collection was quite unconventional with Rock N Roll imprints on it. [16]

In the same year, Rajesh along with stylist Ambika Pillai worked on the look of the cabin crew of Indigo Airlines. He designed the bi-coloured clean-cut tunic and a hat with the airline's wings displayed on it. [17]

In 2011, the designer showcased his spring summer collection in WIFW which was the amalgamation between Ikkat weave from the state of Orissa and handloom textiles. The colours had vibrant shades of fuchsias and oranges with clean cut tunics, shirt dresses and hooded shirts and jackets to name a few. Designer Rakesh Thakore, Rohit Bal, Rita Kapur Chisti and model and actor Rahul Dev walked the ramp clad in the designer's collection. [18]

In the same year, the designer associated with TATA Motors in the design project of TATA Manza where he gave his inputs in the design and the interior of the model. [19] [20]

In 2011, the designer's autumn winter collection at WIFW, named as Architectural Romance became laborious was quite experimental. Black and white dominated the pallette of the range with bubble silhouettes and anti-fits. The range had elements such as floral embroideries, leather and felt appliques, pixelated leather sequins and some fine textiles termed as the Aluminium Ikkat by the designer himself. [21]

Pratap, in 2011, also presented his collection at the grand finale of Dubai Fashion Week. The collection had the dominance of Black with the print hues appearing in the floral motifs. The range reflected his use of de-structured cuts and sleek finishing with offerings like ankle-length velvet coats and the cocoon-inspired dresses with dropped shoulders and tapering hemlines. The striking feature of the range was the metal Ikkat pattern, geometrical prints of hexagonal shapes featured heavily in the 41 creations. [22]

Rajesh Pratap Singh has a domestic retail presence of six standalone flagship stores across the country and selected multibrand boutiques. Internationally the label retails through some select boutiques.

Philanthropy and craft revival initiatives

In 2009, the designer showcased his ecologically responsible collection at the "Green Fashion Show" on Earth Day organised by National Geographic Channel in partnership with the British Council and Madi Design. The designer came up with the collection of hand woven and hand spun special organic cotton and other eco-friendly material. [23]

Pratap is closely working with backward and forward integration as well as technical improvements in Khadi (handspun and handwoven fine cotton and wool). He is also working with a cooperative society for developing India's finest Cashmere. [24]

The designer is also working on the state government sponsored project to promote and popularise Orissa handlooms and textiles in India and abroad by improving designs and create a market for the same. [25]

In 2012, Pratap was one of the twelve designers who showcased for a special show against human traffic in WIFW joining hands with an organisation, you can free us, which rescues women from forced prostitution founded by NRI philanthropist Sujo John. The show began with a story of one such woman, Alice, who was rescued from a brothel in New Delhi, rehabilitated and then featured in a fashion shoot titled as Alice in Wonderland photographed by Subi Samuel. Singh's ensemble depicted hope with a strong black and orange churidar frock ensemble. [26]

Awards

The designer has won many awards –

Related Research Articles

J.Lindeberg is a Swedish clothing company. Their range includes tennis, golf and ski clothing, polo shirts, training clothes, jackets, suits, and shirts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gauri Khan</span> Indian film producer and fashion designer (born 1970)

Gauri Khan is an Indian film producer and fashion designer who works in Hindi films and the designing industry. She has produced films including Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, RaOne, and Chennai Express under the production company Red Chillies Entertainment that she co-founded in 2002 with her husband, actor Shah Rukh Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarun Tahiliani</span> Indian fashion designer

Tarun Tahiliani is a noted Indian fashion designer. With his wife Sailaja 'Sal' Tahiliani, he co-founded the multi-designer boutique Ensemble in 1987, and Tahiliani Design studio in 1990. Based in Delhi, he is best known for his ability to infuse Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage with tailored silhouette. His signature is to combine traditional aesthetics with modern design. Over the years, he also became known for his bridalwear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manish Malhotra</span> Indian fashion designer (b. 1966)

Manish Malhotra is an Indian fashion designer, couturier, costume stylist, entrepreneur, filmmaker, revivalist based in Mumbai, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bharat Mandapam</span> Venue in New Delhi, India

Bharat Mandapam is a convention center located in New Delhi, India. It is owned, operated, and managed by ITPO, an agency under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India Fashion Week</span> Bi-annual fashion week

India Fashion Week is a bi-annual fashion week organized and promoted by the Fashion Design Council of India. It was sponsored by Wills Lifestyle from 2006–2014 before Amazon.in became the sponsor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rohit Bal</span> Indian fashion designer (b. 1961)

Rohit Bal is an Indian fashion designer, known for his designs catering to both men and women. He began his career in 1986, founding Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd with his brother, and debuted his independent collection in 1990. Bal's work includes collaborations with Khadi Gram Udyog and designing costumes for the popular show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabyasachi Mukherjee</span> Indian fashion designer

Sabyasachi Mukherjee is an Indian fashion designer, jewelry designer, retailer and couturier from Kolkata, India. Since 1999, he has sold designer merchandise using the label Sabyasachi. Mukherjee is one of the Associate Designer Members of Fashion Design Council of India and the youngest board member of the National Museum of Indian Cinema. He has designed costumes for Bollywood films such as Guzaarish, Baabul, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Raavan, and English Vinglish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timothy Everest</span> Welsh fashion designer (born 1961)

Timothy Charles Peto Everest is a Welsh tailor and fashion designer. He moved to London in his early twenties to work with the Savile Row tailor Tommy Nutter. He then became one of the leaders of the New Bespoke Movement, which brought designer attitudes to the traditional skills of Savile Row tailoring.

Anamika Khanna is an Indian fashion designer who operates from her studio situated in Kolkata. She has been covered by the Business of Fashion (BOF) for being the Indian designer who has blended traditional Indian textiles and techniques with Western silhouette and tailoring. She is the first Indian designer to have an International label: "Ana mika". Her creations are sold online and offline stores across India and abroad. Before entering the fashion industry, Anamika was a classical dancer and painter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JJ Valaya</span>

JJ Valaya is an Indian fashion designer and couturier from New Delhi, India. He founded the House of Valaya, a luxury fashion and lifestyle house in 1992, along with his brother TJ Singh. A founding member of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the first global brand ambassador of Crystal giant Swarovski. He has been designing for over 20 years. As a fine art photographer, he released his first book, Decoded Paradox in 2011. In the same year, he also closed the day one of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) winter/festive 2011 where he debuted a fashion collection inspired by photography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raghavendra Rathore</span> Indian fashion designer (born 1967)

Raghavendra Rathore is an Indian luxury lifestyle designer, creative director, chief design officer and a hotelier. He is also the founder of the bespoke brand Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur that has made a mark on the fashion scene for being solely responsible for putting the Jodhpuri Bandhgala and Jodhpuri Breeches on the global stage. He has his name in luxury bespoke menswear, Mr. Rathore was one of the Indian Designers to coin his namesake label as a ‘Made in India’ brand, translating traditional Indian ensembles for the global clientele such as the Emir of Qatar, Duchess of York, actors like Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, Mr. Saif Ali Khan and sportspersons like Mr. Virat Kohli. His costume designs for Hollywood movies like "The Gray Man" and Bollywood films like Oh my God,Eklavya & Khoobsurat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fashion Design Council of India</span> Organization

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is an organisation in India. FDCI is a non-profit independent association of fashion designers formed to propagate the Business of Fashion in India in December 1998. Currently, the office is based in New Delhi with Sunil Sethi as the President. FDCI is supported by the Indian Textile Ministry & it also works very closely with fashion institute like NIFT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gajam Anjaiah</span> Indian master handloom designer (born 1955)

Gajam Anjaiah, an Indian master handloom designer, who is widely recognised in the handloom industry for his innovations and developments of Tie and Dye handloom products along with Telia Rumal technique of weaving based on Ikat tie-dye process. He received Padma Shri from Government of India under Art category in 2013. He is known for his excellence in traditional handloom design works, such as Puttapaka Sarees in Tie and dye skill, that is the traditional art of designing on paper and then transferring it on to cloth. His dedication to the Handloom Industry has kept the Indian tradition of weaving alive, brought livelihood to the weavers and gave exclusive/unique designed handloom products to the people in India.

James Ferreira is an Indian fashion designer and founder of the ‘James Ferreira’ designer label.

Rahul Mishra is an Indian fashion designer based in Delhi. He is the first Indian designer to be invited to showcase at the Haute Couture Week in Paris. He won the International Woolmark Prize in 2014 at Milan Fashion Week, becoming the first Indian designer to win the award. The winning collection was sold in stores around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandeep Khosla</span> Indian fashion designer

Sandeep Khosla is a noted Indian fashion designer, who co-owns the label, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. He is best known for his ability to infuse Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage with European tailored silhouette. His signature is to combine traditional aesthetics with modern design.

Nachiket Barve is an Indian fashion designer of Mumbai, India. His eponymous fashion label was launched at the Gen Next show at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. In 2010, Barve received the British Fashion Council and Elle Magazine "Young Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year" award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Naorem</span> Indian fashion designer and makeup artist

Robert Naorem is an Indian fashion entrepreneur, designer and makeup artist from Manipur, India. He is known for his contribution towards the handloom and textile of Manipur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karan Oberoi (model)</span> Indian fitness and fashion model

Karan Oberoi also known by his initials KO, is an Indian fashion model, actor and fitness model. He began his career as a graphic designer for an advertising firm, and accidentally veered into modelling while on the job. Karan has been a chosen model for some of the advertising campaigns in India for brands like Reebok, Royal Enfield and Isuzu and has walked for bigwigs in the fashion industry such as Rohit Bal, Shantanu & Nikhil and Rajesh Pratap Singh. He is also seen on the cover of magazines such as Men's Health and Health & Nutrition.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Designers". The Wall Street Journal. 11 June 2003. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Zakaria, Namrata (24 March 2010). "P is for Pratap". The Indian Express. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "Rajesh Pratap Singh's show at the WLIFW". live mint. 15 May 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "Royals are always in fashion". The Times of India. 30 August 2006.
  5. ↑ "609 Manish Arora, the magician and the monk".
  6. ↑ Behal, Suchitra (25 March 2007). "Long overdue". The Hindu . Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  7. ↑ DUTTA, AYANDRALI (14 May 2009). "Glamorous fashion do in Delhi". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "I would trade anything for a good set of wheels". Daily News & Analysis. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Saran, Sathya (2 September 2006). "Rajesh steals the show at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week". Daily News & Analysis. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "Minimal fashion". The Hindu . Chennai, India. 21 July 2007. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  11. ↑ Chakrabarti, Paromita (4 October 2008). "PrÊt Á Pratap". Express India. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  12. ↑ Amar, Charu (15 March 2008). "'Biker look' gets a softer touch". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 10 September 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  13. ↑ "Designers are basically tailors: Rajesh Pratap Singh". The Indian Express. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  14. ↑ SHARMA, KALPANA (29 March 2010). "A 'different' Grand finale!". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  15. ↑ Shah, Shalini (10 March 2010). "Insider tales". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  16. ↑ Sharma, Garima (20 November 2010). "Twice as nice". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  17. ↑ "Rajesh Pratap and Ambika Pillai To Give New Look To Indigo's Cabin Crew". newsKerala.com. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  18. ↑ "Ikkat Magic With Rajesh Pratap Singh". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  19. ↑ "Tata Motors partners with Rajesh Pratap Singh for Tata Manza" . Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  20. ↑ "Tata Motors partners with designer Rajesh Pratap Singh". The Indian Express. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  21. ↑ Vasudev, Shefalee (9 April 2011). "ALUMINIUM IKAT AND HALF A TROUSER". The Indian Express. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  22. ↑ "It's a wrap". Khaleej Times. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  23. ↑ Tankha, Madhur (20 April 2009). "Commitment towards Mother Earth". The Hindu . Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 24 April 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  24. ↑ Sengupta, Hendol (20 September 2009). "An ethos of elegance". The Hindu . Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  25. ↑ Mishra, Sandeep (31 May 2011). "Orissa handlooms to go the designer way". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  26. ↑ Jakhar, Deepti (18 February 2012). "Special show against human trafficking at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week". India Today.in. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.