Anokhi Fashion Lifestyle Entertaiment

I suppose for some people, its ok to muddle through life fueled on the satisfaction of mediocrity. Maybe they believe in a safe haven that awaits beneath the radar.

Then, there’s Roshena Chadha.

Its not often you see a young design-hopeful arming herself with just the bare essentials- a few hand-picked interning stints- before feeling ready enough to emerge onto the fickle scene of fashion’s Wild West.

Shunning grad rituals of servicing the majors fresh out of F.I.T’s doors, Chadha chose instead to work for smaller, independent mentors who can offer up the full-phased essentials to steer her own ship. The designer regards her inside look on running a business as a meal ticket for fast tracking her own fashion entity.

She has no interest in following trends, shrugs at the mention of runway seasons, and, is vehemently opposed to traditional mannequin sizes (her muse fits a 10). In thwarting all typical budding-label protocols, all that’s left for Chadha, is bold, entrepreneurial spirit. 

“I design what i want to design and whenever Im inspired to design it. .....I thought I’d just start a label, and see what happens.”

A signature couture chapter later, the self-proclaimed California kid at heart remembers a time when things weren't always whimsical. Once a slave to the discipline of angular pattern making, Chadha left her American soil and sensibility behind for a three-month jewelry design program in Mumbai. A decision that inspired her Hard Kaur epoch.

“Jewelry is different than fabric, the lines are free-flowing, elegant. It completely changed the way I worked with pattern making for my apparel.”

The vibrance and accessibility of Indian culture inspired Chadha to emerge from her shell with a message that would resonate with a triumphant return to fabric.
Chadha proudly boasts a voluptuous frame- a tell-tale sign of the self-assured female- and appropriately commits to designing silhouettes that celebrate the curves and the woman who is not afraid to show hers off.

“I’m inspired by woman with boobs and a butt.
I don't think my clients are conservative. To wear my collection, they have to be not afraid to step out side the box.”

When not paying homage to the the female figure or creative minds of iconized runway rebels, (McQueen & Galieano), Chadha’s fashions are garnished with a renewed interest in Indian culture.

“I reconstruct old Indian garments. The embroidery is so ornate and exquisite, that you can’t duplicate it.  I don’t really know how its going to turn out, I just put it on the manikin and go from there”

Focusing currently on her Hard Kaur active wear line- a collection originally developed for an MMA ring- Chadha’s experiment with graphic design and screen printing was ignited from a random thought: “couture dresses. No problem. But can I design a graphic tee that will sell?”

There’s only one person who will answer that.

In the meantime, say what you will about Roshena Chadha’s fallible-prone DIY approach to her career. Had it not been for my own similar stumble-in-the-dark toward just about everything I do, I’d probably have long patted a young designer on the head before telling her to run along.

Yet somehow, deep down I know sometimes, talent and tenacity on a hunch, is enough.

And  like my old publisher, I’m now also ready to preach, “ 90% of success, is showing up.”

For more information visit: www.roshenachadha.com

Have a story idea? contact me: sonia.lowe@anokhimagazine.com

or Twitter me @solowe

RC Collections of an unnamed season: