Digvijay Singh, who started out as a menswear designer before venturing into women’s and unisex clothing, talks to Shaista Bharwani about his inspirations and his latest collection.
Did you always want to be a designer?
Actually I studied Fine Arts and then for my Post-Graduate degree I went to the National Institute of Design for textile designing. I was always involved in music, dance, and all forms of art but had never designed a fashion collection before. However in 2007, I got a chance to participate in the GenNext slot for Lakme Fashion Week so I accepted it and that was when I designed my first collection.
How did you start creating unisex clothing?
It started with my third collection at Lakme Fashion Week. As a designer, I started out with menswear. However, most women used to come and buy my clothes and they always told me that I should design for them. At that time, I realised that the same silhouette could work
What are your inspirations when you design?
I am inspired by anything around me. One of my collections was entirely based on a tap in my house that had gotten oxidised and had some green segment deposited on it. Another collection in 2009 was inspired by a photograph that I found of an old painting of the Ahmedabad vegetable market where all the people were dressed in white and were buying colourful vegetables.
What is your latest collection about?
My newest collection is inspired by some of my previous paintings. It is based on the Jain theory that two people can perceive the same thing very differently and each can be right from their own point of view. The way I have adapted it is, for example, half of a garment may be red with embroidery but the other will be plain black. So on one side it is seen as black and on other as a red constructed and embellished garment. I have used a lot of cottons and silk blends.
What fashion advice would you give the average Indian man?
I would advise them to appreciate their own culture and tradition instead of always wearing Western clothing. I would tell them to incorporate some Indian-ness in their style. They should try to revive the past heritage of this country and wear Indian fabrics like khadi. People from outside come to see Indian designers, but all they find is Western wear. Promote your own culture in your personal style.
