RIYA CHATURVEDI (RIYAMAGINE)

Riya Chaturvedi, a Fashion, Business, Media Studies, and Art History student at Gallatin, is the founder of the brand Riyamagine. Her upcoming collection is focused on transforming traditional menswear tailoring into contemporary womenswear. Riya has been designing since she was a little child, and Ms. DeVane, her frst art instructor, as well as her fashionable parents have been key inspirations.

She appreciates learning about the industry from all perspectives, even if her degree concentrates on the media and commercial side of the fashion industry. Depending on the topic, Riya’s design process varies, but she is frequently infuenced by details from the 1960s and the Baroque era.

Can you tell us about your design process?

How do you typically start a new collection or piece, and how do you bring your ideas to life?

“My process is honestly all over the place. It depends on the project. If it’s more ofcial, you will start out with the designs. But the majority of the time, I am always inspired by the materials I work with. I can never actually know what a garment is going to look like until I have the fabric in my hands. For this recent collection, working with ties was extremely complicated. But, every design idea I had previously was thrown out when I got them and started to drape them in the fgure.”

Where do you draw inspiration for your designs? Are there any particular artists, designers, or cultural movements that infuence your work?

“I have a very wide range of interests in diferent styles but I am mostly inspired by the old. I love the 60s and design elements from that time always show up in my work. I am also fascinated with fashion from the

Baroque era. Majority of my designs will be pushing one extreme of attempting to blend ultra masculine or feminine elements. Something like Rococo inspired fashion would be super feminine with lace rufes and silk whereas 60s menswear could be about tailoring. In my latest collection I attempted to blend masculine and feminine elements through reimagining the suit and tie in the context of the female fgure.”

Tell me about your greatest achievement as a fashion designer.

“My greatest achievement would have to be this latest collection I designed for the Gallatin Fashion Show. I was able to take some of my dads old suits and ties and transform them into designs. It was an amazing moment for me to see his old things I saw him wearing growingup given a new life.”

Can you describe what lessons you learned during your time as a fashion designer?

“Don’t rely on expectations. The most important process of