Today on the blog, we feature Shreya Lohia, designer & founder of Rajas a sustainable fashion label based in Bangalore. Her story…
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am Shreya Lohia, an architect by qualification and a designer by passion. I have always loved creating, using my hands to make things. My interest in apparel stems back to my childhood in Assam where we dint have retail stores and I would spend most of the time at home with the family tailor ( yes we had a full time tailor at home as we were a family of about 20 of us).
How did you begin Rajas and how has it evolved over the years?
Rajas began with no clear vision or goal, it was just a reaction to a chance meeting with a cobbler, he had so much to offer and no clients that I knew I had to do my bit, the first year of Rajas was my experimentation with footwear. From there on, I moved on to making laptop sleeves, kindle covers, mouse pads mostly out of my grandmothers old sarees, then about 2 years ago I took a plunge and made a small collection of apparel and from there forward there was no looking back and I have loved every minute of it.
Why is making so important to you?
That is something I haven’t thought about. Okay I think the main reason is I like to see something (a material, or a couple of materials) become something totally else, limited only by our own imagination and skills of the hand. So I guess making gives me the freedom to express, especially the young shy girl I was, it was the best creative outlet for me.
Your work space.
I am a messy worker as I like to have multiple things going on, so often you see a lot of sketches and sample and products in process on my desk.
Your favorite work tool.
My old school non electirc singer machine . I make all the smaller products on my own on it, its the foot peddle machine and my tailor still makes fun of me as I don’t know how to use this electric zack machine.
What is currently on your work table?
My accounts book and sales lists. And also a half finished clutch wallet that was ordered online today.
What is your personal favorite pick from your Rajas right now? And why?
Chokers under the sub brand name “DADINESILA” , which means grandmother stitched, its literally what the name says, my grandmother loves making things ( shes the one who has taught me everything creative) and at Rajas she uses up all the fabric scraps to create fabric jewellery , a part of the profit of this goes back to the underprivileged kids she teaches back in Assam.
What are your displaying at the By Hand, From The Heart.
A brand new collection _ NIRJARI and NEEL KATHA , both extremely close to my heart and of course a small collection of Dadinesila as well.
Meet the Maker @
25th edition: By Hand From The Heart Makers Market
8 – 9 – February 2019 | Friday – Saturday | 10 a.m – 9 p.m
Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, (old Adyar Gate Hotel)
132, T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018, India.
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