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Elina Kobzar

Roshni Pawar: Digital Zombies Collection


Photographer: Luca Andriano Assis/ Creative Direction: Roshni Pawar/MUA: Lior Latimore/Models Agency:Brave Models Management


Roshni Pawar is a fashion designer with the degree in finance and economics. Roshni was born and raised in Oman. In 2015 she graduated from the university in Mumbai but later realised its not the path she wants to take.


Everyone questioned themselves at least once if they are making the right choice. Roshni knew that she wants to try and change her life than regret it later. She moved to Milan a year after graduation and began her dream career as a designer.


"Initially it was difficult to change my career path but changes are constant in our lives and we shouldn't be afraid of taking the risk."


During the university years, the designer was financially stable but had no mental or emotional support from her family. "I have learned things the hard way and managed to push myself against all odds and criticism to pursue my dream."


From a young age Roshni was watching haute couture shows, giving the critics on the designs and imagining attending the events in one of the fashion capitals one day. Little did she know that it would become a reality.


Roshni graduated from Nuovo Academia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy. Her final year collection inspired her to create clothes that focused on Human Psychology. "I had never been so interested in understanding human psychology, not until certain events in my life helped me to change my perspective and new vision to create an unusual path which is still discovered by none in present times."


The designer was working on her brand, ROSH/MI16 MILAN, since last year. Roshni creates garments through adversities of mental state and provides a solution in the form of the functional clothing.


Roshni believes that every brand went through the challenges, whether it is financial or the design aspect itself. "There is an old saying: 'when there is a will, there is a way' and if I am honest, I have lived by this phrase throughout my journey in fashion."


Roshni thinks that identity and maintaining the direction in which the brand aims to target makes it even more challenging for the designers.


"There are many people who enter the industry with a lack of knowledge and professionalism. They are here to earn some coins with zero ethical sense. At the end of the day it's not about liking the idea of owning a fashion brand but being passionate about it."

Roshni's latest collection is focusing on technology. Nowadays, everyone is connected with smartphones, computers that we forget about the eye contact and conversations.


The designer presented a capsule collection Digital Zombies, which includes three functional, casual and healing garments. "The collection provokes the overuse of the electronic devices and shows a different approach in fashion as a discipline of problem-solving."


Roshni believes that fabric can determine everything in the design. "You can have the most innovative or beautiful looking design but if you fail to choose the right fabric and colour, it can lose its essence and aesthetic value."


Roshni prefers to avoid using polyvinyl chloride materials which produce synthetic plastic polymer or any materials that cause harm to the environment. "As a designer, it is my responsibility to change my choices and shift more sustainable options."


The designer doesn't follow any traditional methods while creating the new garments. Although Roshni has been taught to start the collection from a concept, following by a mood board and colour palette, she believes that it limits imagination.


"It is important for me to set myself free from all the limitations and think out of the box, create something fresh and innovative. I could start with a fabric sample or start with a mood board. It depends on what the concept is about. I like to change my ways accordingly."


While talking about the creative crisis, Roshni suggests that it is important to take a break from brainstorming. Roshni prefers watching a movie or just getting a good sleep. It is different for everyone, however, "it is quite essential to do as it gives room for better ideas and breaks that monotonous chain of imaginations."


Roshni's work was published in Vogue Italia. For the designer it was unexpected experience. "I didn't intend to do it but I just gave it a try and it worked. I know that they are very particular with what they publish but the editor loved the photographs and the design."


Roshni believes that the most important thing to keep in mind is to stay true to yourself. "Keep doing the good work and there will be people to support and acknowledge your work sooner or later. There is a thin line between being over smart or confident about your work, this may ruin your chances to get published on such platforms. You have to be mindful about it!", adds the designer.


For Roshni it is crucial to have a meaningful concept. She thinks that a lot of young creatives need to stop running after magazine just to get published.


"Designers shouldn't dwell upon the fact that 'why my projects didn't get published'. People should rather use that time to create and learn more on what they can do better."

Roshni would like to change several aspects of the fashion industry. One of them is peoples attitude towards each other. "People in authority or even who is average when it comes to their talents treat others that they are less than nothing."


Another issue which Roshni wants to address is being biased to certain nationalities when it comes to hiring for a job or even fashion competitions.


"We live in a bizarre world where talent has less than no importance over people's superficial and baseless preferences. This has to change because it seriously hampers a person's confidence in themselves and their work creating mental instability. Equal opportunities should be given to everyone."


At the moment Roshni is working from home in Oman. The designer is focusing on her brand and other personal projects in the middle of a pandemic but would like to move back to Milan when things get back to normal.

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