Rajul Mehta, multi-hyphenate artist and founder of cashmere retailer Queenmark, tells Nyonya Joanne Tan-De Zilva that the pairing of pashminas and the Peranakan kebaya is a marriage made in heaven.
Joanne: What were your first thoughts when you were approached to conduct the Pashminas meet Peranakans workshop?
Rajul: As a Singapore-based brand, and having my children grow up in Singapore, I have seen how the different aspects of the Indian culture converge with the unique Singaporean culture. Some of these influences come together into what is known as the Singaporean culture, include the Peranakan culture, which draws in so many different aspects, from your dressing to your food. As a Singaporean, I am inspired and want to show that fashion isn’t only limited to western and mainstream culture. It could be possible to be bigger, bolder and truer to yourself. Our brand of pashmina shawls fits in nicely as it also embraces the colourful threads present in the Peranakan apparel too.
Joanne: What do you think about pairing pashminas with sarong kebayas?
Rajul: 5 words – The future of pashmina fashion.
I think that although at first look, putting the length of a regular pashmina shawl alongside a sarong length may look uninspiring (because both are just long pieces of cloth), in reality the versatility of the pashmina shawl is given a brand-new avenue to shine. The same way that clay isn’t only a piece of clay but can also be moulded into a vase or a work of art. The conventional standards of fashion set by society are meant to be broken and transformed. Seemingly regular individual pieces of clothing can be put together to create a new look. A pashmina shawl can do just that too. It can transform, break the norm and even transcend looks. While one may think that pashmina designs or the way of wearing are somewhat standard, one can actually be creative and elevate the look by pairing it with other clothing like the Peranakan sarong.
Joanne: Which article of clothing do you think pashminas are better paired with? The kebaya or the sarong? And why?
Rajul: I think that both kebayas and sarongs can be worn well with pashminas as there are so many styles and patterns of lace and shawls. In fact, we have shawls that have designs that would go well with both kebayas and sarongs because of our lace. A lot of our lace have flower designs that range from soft pastel colours to saturated, vivid ones. We also have many gold-accented shawls that would look beautiful on many different clothes.
Joanne: Any word of advice to fashionistas wanting to pair pashminas with kebayas and sarongs?
Rajul: Perhaps one may want to consider shape, conventional standards and the preferred colour palette. But at the end of the day, confidence is key to pull anything off. So long as you think you look your best then you’re good. Also, it would be good to consider the occasion in which you are dressing up for, but make sure to be comfortable and happy with what you’re wearing.