Known for his minimalistic designs for which he accredits his ability to amalgamate his soulful Indian heritage with urban influences, the couturier calls his designs “fuss free”. [break]
Kochhar with no prior knowledge in fashion literally jumped into the industry at 19 after he purchased a sewing machine and hired an old tailor who was shocked at the length of dresses he was asked to stitch, as he thought they were clothes for kids. Kochhar, who hails from a business family, had to convince his parents and his extended cousins, as he lived in a joint family, about his choice in career. And what a career it has been!
Over the span of 21 years, Kochhar has showcased his creations in Bangkok, Colombo, Johannesburg, London, Sydney, Canberra, Rio, Sao Paulo, Malaysia and Kenya, in addition to most Indian cities. Besides creating art with cloth, Kochhar is also an artist and has the opportunity to show is paintings in Sydney, Tokyo and New Delhi. He has also served as the Artist-in-Residence program at Tokyo Wonder Site between May 2009-10. But that’s not all this multi-talented designer does, he has dwelled in furniture designing and photography.
He is currently in Kathmandu as one of the panelists for fashion segment of the Kathmandu Kaleidoscope Indo-Nepal Youth Conference which took place in the capital on May 13-14 at Nepal Tourism Board. Republica had a chat with the designer who in the early 90s conducted a show called Khoobsurat, a fashion-based show from which most of us, including this scribe, got their first fashion tips from.
Excerpts:
What did you think of the two day youth seminar?
I think it’s a wonderful platform that both the organizers have come together and organized it. I didn’t know this was happening for the first time here. I see it has a huge potential and shouldn’t just restrict it to cities, it’s only fair that we take it everywhere because there are youth everywhere. I say this because I’ve had my share of youth related problems and I’d love to address them, along with fashion, as something small can trigger off so many different things in your life. If I can be instrumental in doing so I would be glad. I hope more people share this idea and thought because I believe being creative means sharing.
The fashion industry in India is huge yet it is largely influenced by Bollywood. How do you assess it?
I give full credit to Bollywood for being so influential and see nothing wrong with it in that aspect. You have to give it to the industry for having the ability to brainwash the entire country, in fact, the entire world. But then at the end of the day it comes down to an individual to choose whether to be brainwashed or not. It’s the same with cricket; it’s a sport treat it like one, don’t stop your work for it. It’s all about balance.
How did you break into the international market?
Honestly speaking, I never did. I think it’s all about the energy and inventions. Every show I have participated in, I have been invited to and that’s an acknowledgement because it costs lots of money to participate in shows.
Is it easy for you to design for your wife?
Every garment I design is with her in my mind because she represents the kind of clients I want to cater to. She is a great wife, mom and a great cook but more than that she does a lot of things. She is professional, a yoga instructor and is always studying to improve her knowledge and that’s the kind of women I’d like my designs to be worn by.
Prabal Gurung who hails from Nepal is currently making waves in the West. How have you been reading his designs?
I think his designs are very contemporary, fresh and wearable. Actually, I shared a proposal with the CEO of Nepal Tourism Board yesterday about a collaborative project between Indian and Nepali designers. It would be great to have Prabal on board for the project because he’d bring lots of attention to it but if time doesn’t allow him I’d like to move ahead with the project with other Nepali designers. The project will be about spending time with young creative people from both the countries in their respective environments and create a line based on the interaction which can be showcased here and in India. Everything, including fashion is about human connection and that can’t come through the internet.
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