By Kavitha Mhatre

Jaipur-based designer Kirti Rathore blew minds with her signature style at the 5th edition of Mysore Fashion Week-2018 held at The Windflower Resorts and Spa recently. Men’s wear that infused architectural shapes and idiosyncratic prints on luxurious fabrics made a big splash of vibrant colours.

‘Rich, sophisticated and unique’ is what comes to one’s mind while describing the craft piece Kirti Rathore showcased at the Mysore Fashion Week. She is one of the few women designers in India working on men’s wear and her offerings infuse a sense of boldness and fearlessness. Star of Mysore caught up with the versatile designer to get an insight into what inspires her creativity and gets her going every day…

SOM: How was your experience at the Mysore Fashion Week this year?

Kirti Rathore: It was a great experience. I was invited for the previous seasons but was unable to make it on account of personal and professional commitments. This year, I decided that I had to showcase my work at the Mysore Fashion Week. The event had an international feel to it. Everything right from the PR, event coordination, models and the choice of designers were spot on. It was a well-managed event and I enjoyed showcasing my work.

SOM: Who were your favourite designers at the Mysore Fashion Week?

Kirti Rathore: I liked Jaya Misra’s work and Ken Fern’s collection. Jaya Misra’s work was interesting, as we both are into men’s wear. Jayesh Maini’s collection used the organza fabric very well, Ken’s resort wear was brilliant and it was an ingenious idea to exhibit his designs at the amphitheatre instead of a runway. And as usual, Shakir Shaik did a great job on the choreography front.

SOM: What inspired the collection you presented?

Kirti Rathore: We used a line of kurtas and integrated it with thread embroidery for this occasion. Nehru jackets were teamed up with silk kurtas and zardosi work. Bangalore is known as the ‘city of silk’ and we wanted to showcase something to resonate with Karnataka’s silk offerings. We used a lot of bold colours and my inspiration for that is definitely my home town Rajasthan, which is known for its vibrant hues and shades.

SOM: As a designer, what is the one fashion tip you would give to all the fashionistas out there?

Kirti Rathore: I would say, ‘Just follow your heart… your inner voice.’ With style, what really matters is how you carry yourself. Focus on that. Style is not about expensive tags. A simple outfit can look great when accessorised well and carried off with great attitude.

SOM: What does the future look like for you? What are your focus areas from a professional standpoint?

Kirti Rathore: We are coming up with stores in Toronto and New Jersey. Exploring international markets is an area of primary focus for me now. We are also working on instituting a School of Design, which will be called ‘The Kirti Rathore School of Design.’

The institute will offer extensive diploma courses in fashion and design and will serve as a gateway for students who aspire to get into renowned design institutes in Paris, Milan and other fashion destinations of the world. We have just finished formalising a partnership with The New York School of Design in this regard.