| THE AWARD |
| CATEGORIES |
| REGISTRATION |
| SUBMIT YOUR WORK |
| ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
| TERMS & CONDITIONS |
| PUBLICATIONS |
| DATES & FEES |
| METHODOLOGY |
| CONTACT |
| WINNERS |
| PRESS ROOM |
| GET INVOLVED |
| DESIGN PRIZE |
| DESIGN STORE |
| THE AWARD | JURY | CATEGORIES | REGISTRATION | PRESS | WINNERS | PUBLICATIONS | ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
Interview with Prakirn Srivastava |
Home > Designer Interviews > Prakirn Srivastava |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Prakirn Srivastava (PS) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Prakirn Srivastava by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
PS: I have done, both, my graduation in Fashion and Apparel Design from India and my post - graduation in Fashion Design in UK and my field of specialization has been women's wear. I also have a Career Award Certificate in Fashion Art and Accessories with Grade A Performance from Euclaire Institute, Wisconsin. I have always found myself more inclined towards the creative side. Clothes have always fascinated me and I have always thought "Why should I always follow fashion? Let's create some fashion!". Yes, I always wanted to be a designer.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PS: Prakirn Srivastava is a women's wear brand owned and started by me. The brand specialises in women's clothing that are structured, feminine, fresh, soft, elegant and glamourous. The designs are characterized with a lot of colours, machine embroidery, hand embroidery, prints and textures. The designs are ready-to-wear and hold a commercial value. Customized designing is also offered by the brand.
FS: What is "design" for you?
PS: To me 'Design' is anything that has a form and shape and is a result of inspirations, experiments and techniques all put together. A 'Design' to me can have both functional and non-functional aspect and commercial and non-commercial value.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PS: My work is very traditional. My designs will always have a lot of embroidery on it. I love playing with colours. Surface embellishment is something I love doing.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
PS: My most favourite design in terms of embellishing a garment is oriental floral. I generally use it around the neckline, sleeves and bottom hem. This helps to create an eye-movement all over the garment.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PS: It was a ready-to-wear long sleeved tunic in a self-embroidered cotton fabric with brocade lace at the waist.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
PS: I enjoy working with georgette and chiffon. I think they are very chic, elegant and luxury.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
PS: I think it is about the moment. I could just see something very inspiring, as simple as a leaf, that would get me down to designing and when you are designing you have to be at the top level of creativity.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PS: Since, I specialize in a ready-to-wear range my focus is always on the commercial value. I believe 'less is more' so yes, the amount of embellishment is also a prime focus.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
PS: I get mixed emotions actually. At a sampling level, because, I am experimenting with so many things like fabric, colour and embroidery, at one point of time I feel 'this is it' and then after thinking for a minute, I feel 'let's try this as well'. Its all about experimentation and not having a biased outlook to a particular design.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PS: I feel great. The feeling of having realized a design successfully cannot be compared.
FS: What makes a design successful?
PS: A garment is not successful only as a product to wear. It has to be styled well and has to be given a 'look' which I do by matching it with the right accessories. So accessories make a garment design successful in my opinion.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PS: The look, the styling, the practical aspect and the commercial value.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PS: Be as eco-friendly as possible.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
PS: The 'design field' is definitely evolving. People have started understanding, just not the design but, the process that is involved in creating and selling a design. As far as the future is concerned, I feel the design industry would be amongst the strongest industries in the market.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
PS: I've never held an exhibition but yes, I would want to hold one.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PS: My inspiration comes from the tradition and culture of India. I think it has so much to offer. It is rich, fresh, happy and colourful.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
PS: I would describe my designs as chic and feminine. I feel a female body is one of the most artistic creations of God and, I, with my designs try to present this creation in a glamourous way.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
PS: I currently live in the UK but I come from India and I strongly feel that the cultural heritage has a strong influence on my designs. The pros and cons are that you know the culture and tradition inside-out and hence, you can try out so many styles and looks but at the same time it has a disadvantage too, that you find a comfort zone and miss out on other things.
FS: How do you work with companies?
PS: I am adaptable and easy-to-work with. It is about the faith the company has in me and I have in the company.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
PS: I think designers are the pillars of a design company and hence, companies should open opportunities for young talent. To select a good designer, I feel rather than judging on a portfolio basis the designer should be given a small project where he designs for the company's target market and the designed products should be put out on the shelves to see the real-time response of the people.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
PS: My designing starts from an inspiration leading to rough sketches followed by a digital replica of the design. The next step would be sourcing out fabrics and trims. Having done this I move on to the technical details and finally the sampling.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
PS: Lamp shades, Crockery, Window frames, Flower vases, Candles.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
PS: The first thing is to freshen-up and shower. Say my prayers and then have breakfast. Get to work and interact and deal with customers and look and monitor the daily activities. Come back in the evening , have some light snacks and relax and talk to people or just go out. The day ends with dinner followed by some time of working.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PS: All I will say is that all designs sell. It is only about 'How to sell and when to sell?'
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
PS: Positive, I would say that you can make a needle look like a sword and a gun look like a cannon. For the only reason that you can do all this, people who are not into too much design may just not see any sense and give you a strange look.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
PS: "Less is always More"
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
PS: Creativity and Out - of - the - Box thinking.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PS: A sketchpad, adobe photoshop, adobe illustrator, wacom inkling and iBall digital tablet.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
PS: I plan my day in such a way that I put the similar tasks to be done at a particular time.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
PS: It depends on what am I designing. For instance, range of 5 ready-to-wear samples would take about 15 - 20 days.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
PS: "What is your signature style/look?"
FS: What was your most important job experience?
PS: Christian DIOR UK Ltd.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
PS: Generally, size 8/10 women between the age group 20 - 35.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PS: I enjoy traditionally inspired designes for the only reason that they have a very rich feel.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PS: A clothing line in a self owned boutique. A business in fashion clothing that would offer ready - to -wear women's wear and customise designs.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
PS: I work as an individual as of now and I develop my designs myself.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
PS: I have an idea inspired from 'barcodes' but it is still at a concept stage.
FS: How can people contact you?
PS: People can contact me by using the contact form on my website www.prakirnsrivastava.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
PS: Fashion Designing is an art. Art needs crazy thinking and there is never a limit to being crazy.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
Press Members: Register and login to request a custom interview with Prakirn Srivastava.
| SOCIAL |
| + Add to Likes / Favorites | Send to My Email | Comment | Testimonials |
