Toronto-based emerging creative design house Grafiti, is changing the way women look at South Asian style. Nav, a University of Toronto grad and Pin, a student of the NY Fashion Institute of Technology, work together to take traditional silhouettes such as the Sari, Lengha and Salwar Kameez and modernizing the styles with colorful, bold prints in a beautiful manner. Grafiti is emerging as a brand with a unique perspective on the traditional South Asian attire. The clothes embody the type of sought after outfits that the woman of today wants to wear. The SS'15 collection is bold, daring and one of the most creative lines I have seen in a while. I got a chance to collaborate with them and ask them a few questions.
Brand: Grafiti
Instagram: grafiti.intl
Facebook: grafiti
Google +: grafiti
Tumblr: grafiti-intl
1- Tell us a little about yourselves
Nav and Pin, co-founders of this Creative Design House concentrate on South Asian Wear and just launched their first Spring Summer ’15 collection.
Nav- My desire for unique and understated elegance started at a young age, watching my mom always gravitate towards more classic, timeless and simple fashion choices. The lesson was soon learned that the clothes don’t make the woman; a woman expresses her individuality through her fashion choices. After obtaining my degree from the University of Toronto, I pursued my desire to work in the design and cosmetics industry, learning how trends and fads shape our society and further solidifying my belief that to make a statement, you sometimes have to go against the grain. With my personal interest growing in fabrics, cuts and designs and always designing my own South Asian clothing, I felt I wanted to share my own version of unique, confident and statement-making South Asian clothing with fashion lovers everywhere!
Pin- I’ve been a dweller and traveler of many fashion capitals in the world; style and fashion have become a part of my daily life. Growing up in a small town did not keep me away from being a lover of high heels and developing my own personal style. After completing my education and obtaining my MBA in Ohio, it was time for me to get my feet wet and move to one of the most stylish cities in the world, New York City. Being surrounded by such amazing fashion I was inspired to attend New York’s internationally known college for fashion and design, the Fashion Institute of Technology. Currently residing in Toronto, Canada my passion for design has grown and has further convinced me that it was time for my fellow South Asian fashionistas to see fashion through my eyes and also to spread the word when you are out there in this great big world “always make them do a double take with your style.”
Our educational backgrounds, interests, attention to detail and personal fashion senses come together to create what grafiti is all about! Turning dreams into a reality all while having fun and helping change the way people view South Asian fashion.
2- What is your philosophy of design?
Grafiti’s design philosophy is to create South Asian wear that is edgy and out of the box but still maintain certain traditional elements. We want our designs to be unique to individuals who wear them; one of kind pieces that we don’t replicate. Our designs are for the woman who likes to stand out from the crowd and leave her own mark in the sea of fads and trends.
3- What motivated you to start Grafiti?
We have always loved fashion and try to set ourselves apart when wearing our own South Asian clothing to social events. Designing for ourselves is something that came natural to us and felt now was our time to put our thoughts and ideas out there for others to see. There are so many unbelievably talented South Asian designers across the globe, but we felt like there were unique looks and ideas we could bring to the market. We felt motivated that our creativity could fill a certain niche in the industry and provide our clients with an outfit that gave them confidence to walk into a room and know they would be unique.
4- What is your favorite piece from your collection?
All of our outfits are so special to us in their own way as we spend so much time and put so much thought into every detail of our designs. However, if we had to choose a favorite design, we’d say our double hem mini flare tops are not only our favorite, but also a fan favorite!
5- Biggest fashion no-nos?
With South Asian wear we know pretty much anything goes and once a trend begins it becomes a fashion standard. But with that, we would have to say the biggest fashion no-no is being afraid to be different in the sea of what is “in.”
6- Where do you draw your style inspiration from?
There are so many amazing designers out there, but we absolutely love Payal Singhal. Her designs exude a certain type of pushing the envelope (no rules) style while maintaining so much class. She inspires us to keep designing without reservation and is definitely an icon for us in the fashion design arena.
7- What is the staple clothing item or accessory every woman who wears Grafiti is sure to have?
Our staple item on each and every one of our designs is our metal zippers. It’s just that extra detail that makes our designs stand out from the crowd. It’s all about intricacies, being bold and daring!
*Photograper: Narbir Gosal
*Makeup/Hair: Sarah Samra & Preet Sandhu for PS_You'reBeautiful
It was so much fun working with these girls! I loved their lookbook and can not wait to see what they have in store for us next! Hopeyou guys enjoyed this as much as I did.
Shine your brightest
XOXO
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