Fashion week designer headed for the top
1st Jan 2015 Fashion & Beauty
Indian-born, London-based designer Shilpa Chavan is no stranger to fashion week, having presented both in London and internationally. Here's why she's a star on the rise.
Originally starting out in Mumbai, the artist, stylist and milliner relocated to London to launch her label Little Shilpa. “I love the transformative element that comes with millinery,” she says of her craft. “There are no rules and no boundaries. It’s creatively fulfilling—and technically fun as well—to challenge myself and balance so many things on a single headband!”
In 2009, she was one of five selected by prestigious milliner Stephen Jones for a showcase celebrating 25 years of London Fashion Week. “The feedback was amazing and, in fact, one of my headpieces also made it to the front page of The Guardian the next day,” says Shilpa of the experience.
Image via Little Shilpa
The same year she created an entire outfit for the pop star Lady Gaga, whose weird and wonderful public image is the perfect fit for Shilpa’s out-of-this-world creations. Since these defining moments, her label has grown significantly and has recently come to include apparel design as well.
When planning her next range, Shilpa starts as soon as the last show finishes. “Each collection is always inspired from something around me at that moment,” she says. “I always design the headpieces first.”
Though in initial stages, Shilpa can divulge that her spring/summer range will explore fables, fairy tales and urban myths—the perfect way to add a touch of hedonism to your outfit.
