#ishtyle

THE MUGHAL GARDEN : SABYASACHI 2016

I’ll be honest with you guys. This may be browngirl fashion blasphemy, but the past year or so I’ve found myself scrolling past Sabyasachi fashion posts. The previous few collections looked all a little too similar and non-inspirational to me (probably doesn’t help that many designers are also copying/super inspired by his aesthetic). But...

GOD DAYM! I cannot get over this Mughal Garden collection! I absolutely love the pale green Nehru jacket, and how the florals translate over onto menswear. 

- A x 

RVDesigns :: The eStore Launch! 

RVDesigns a Canada based fashion brand founded by superduo Theresa James and Roger Prince, instantly caught our eye with their explosive neon prints and kitschy icons reminiscent of the motherland.

Born into an Indian family, Theresa’s connection with her heritage organically found its way through creativity and the pair are constantly drawing inspiration from their travels across India.

Read till the end to find an exclusive discount code for you guys on all of their wonderful and quirky designs!

1. What inspired you to start RVDesigns?

It was really a brainchild of both Roger’s and mine.  We came from professional lives we found totally unsatisfying - Roger was doing custom home renovations and I was practicing Law.  We knew we needed to make a big change, do something creative and also together, instead of apart.  So, after many late night conversations and weighing our options, we applied to enrol in a Fashion Design program in Vancouver with the intention of eventually creating a label and a business we could be equal partners in.  It was a huge lifestyle change and a massive undertaking!  We definitely didn’t know what we were getting into but there’s never been a dull moment.

2. There have been a lot of changes to RVDesigns recently, what made you decide to create ‘Inchworm Alley’ for kids?

First, we had a baby(!), which inevitably became the reason for starting our baby wear line, Inchworm Alley.  It’s not something we had previously considered but after having our lil guy and struggling to find gear that was gender-neutral, eco-friendly and actually practical was a real challenge.  As designers we were constantly commenting on things we’d change about our baby’s clothes, so it was just natural we ended up designing our own. We’ve sourced Organic Cotton fibres that are harvested from non-GMO plants, which haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.  Our prints are also made using low-impact, eco-friendly dyes, which have the added bonus of resulting in images that are really colour-rich. 

 3. How do you stay connected to India while being away?

Being away from India is tough - it’s very close to our hearts.  The friends we have there are like family and it’s opened up a world of adventure and opportunity.  We’re constantly working away and saving funds in anticipation of the next trip we can make back there and for longer and longer periods of time.

4. Congratulations on the eStore! What's next for RVDesigns?

Our focus right now is on Inchworm Alley. It’s so much fun to design and develop prints for - it gives us the chance to go a little crazy.   We do, though, have big plans for Foreign Affairs and expanding that product range to home wares and lifestyle products, which was part of our reason for heading back to India in January. It took us a number of tries to find the right manufacturer in India that fit with our values and expectations.  Now that we’ve found them, we aren’t letting go! They are a family-run operation and they pride themselves going above and beyond to uphold fair labour practices and by supporting the local community. They’re also committed to sustainability, which is rare in an industry obsessed with the bottom line. 

With the expansion of our tiny family, though, our priorities have shifted now we’re learning to strike a balance between being entrepreneurs and being parents.

What we love most about RVDesigns is that despite their global success, the duo remain connected to their Indian roots, and work closely with a social enterprises supporting the livelihoods of small family businesses in India!