Born in Poland and grew up in Singapore, Rhea Singh is a contemporary Indian fashion designer currently living in Chicago. Originally a print artist, Rhea found fashion as a way of connecting back to her heritage. n As a designer Rhea heavily focuses on the concept of cultural sustainability, whether it be in the silhouette or the prints she designs, carrying forward details of her heritage is an important element in her work. Each garment that Rhea creates has hidden elements of her Indian heritage, whether it be through the print, the delicate beadwork, or the construction, it’s always hidden in the details of her work. As an Indian designer, Rhea also works very closely with embellishments such as beadwork and embroidery. Her eye for detail and creating texture on top of fabric comes from her heritage. If her garments do not have any beadwork what you may be able to find is the delicate blindstitch to close many of her seams. As a designer, Rhea not only works with shapes around the body but her handwork is shown through all her garments.
Look 1, Look 1, 2022, poly silk, angle skin satin, silk petals, glass beads, bronze, photo by James Prinz
Look 2, look 2, poly wool blend, poly silk, satin chording, photo by James Prinz
Look 3, look 3, poly wool blend, poly silk, satin, embroidery patches, photo by James Prinz
Look 4, look 4, raw silk, satin, embroidery patches, poly wool, satin chording, photo by James Prinz
Look 5, canvas, glass beads, mirrors, poly wool, embroidery patches, brocade, silk petals, poly silk, photo by James Prinz
Look 6, Look 6, canvas, glass beads, mirrors, bronze, poly wool, silk, embroidery patches, photo by James Prinz
Look 7, look 7, canvas, brocade, fake fur, satin stretch, glass beads, silk petals, silk chording, photo by James Prinz
This collection is an exploration of the concept of escapism through the Mughal textiles that were brought to India during the 1500s. The floral patterns created through paradisiacal imagery were a way for them to create this fantasy world that they imagined is what paradise looked like. From fabrics to buildings, furniture, and even gravestones, floral patterns were seen everywhere. Small details of traditional Indian wear can be found throughout each look but in conversation with the contemporary design world that I grew up in. Each look contains certain design elements that seem to be wrapping around or engulfing the wearer. It’s a visual representation of being consumed by one’s reality and identity.
In Hinduism, the lives of plants, animals, and humans are believed to be connected through the concept of Karma. How much good you do in your current life will translate to the animal you reincarnate into when entering your next life. The tiger is believed to contain prayers and spells to protect people. Serpents represent both death and infinity and are known to be a symbol of divine evil. Since I was a kid, these are the two animal motifs I was always attracted to in the temples. Combining these two motifs into the prints of my collection mixed in with the Mughal floral patterns allows a new reality to be created where one feels protected and is confronted by the truth. Mirrorwork made its way to India through the Mughal Empire as well, stemming from the Islamic beliefs of the evil eye. The mirrors are believed to trap or blind the evil eye. The melting eyeball patches are a more literal reference to the feeling of slipping away. Finally, from floral prints on a 2D surface to 3D embellishment, silk petals allow the floral patterns to start to feel as if they are coming alive. This collection is not only a conversation between who I am and my culture, but also a way it’s a new world being built from the details of my heritage.