As a child in Nepal you can see how women and men dress with real sensuality. In their wardrobes, there’s a tension between revealing and concealing, a sense of cocooning, and within all of that, a mixture of patterns and colors and textures that—through a colonized lens—might seem too much. It’s an open-ended way of being. This is a very unique aesthetic to this region of the world. I loved this idea of sensuality and draping. It’s almost very poetic. It’s important to realize that the women in remote areas of the country wear so many accessories and carry their bags around all day. They are literally lifting their burdens with their clothing. I wanted to capture their joy and grace in life. I admit that I am not always successful but I felt like I was for this show.
What are your favorite shopping destinations in New York or Nepal?
Nepal has a very slow pace of life, which is where it’s beautiful. [Asan Top, New Road, Patan, Bhaktapur] There’s still something beautiful about the changes in landscape. Kathmandu The background of these shops. As capitalism has affected the entire world, I am drawn to places with pristine natural beauty and authentic charm. It’s the complete opposite of New York. You can find almost anything there in an instant. When I am there, I enjoy going to shop vintageI love vintage. I love to go to a Brooklyn or East Village thrift store and find something that you won’t see anywhere else. When I and a couple of friends won the social impact award House of SlayIt was the perfect outfit. I wore a navy blue YSL tri-piece I bought at a thrift store. I find such things all the time. I am a patient shopper, and I don’t do much. I love to see what’s new, but my heart has always belonged in thrift shops.
What other places have you visited? Tell me what you did there.
Other than India, Nepal. America, Paris, TokyoI went on a trip Greece with my boyfriend at the time that really showed me, this… I don’t know, magic? The landscape and the openness of nature were what inspired me most. The other hand, I like a large city such as Bangkok. There’s a heat and an exciting feeling that anything could happen.
It’s funny, I just recently took a vacation to Key West, FloridaYou always hear about in the fashion industry. MiamiI was surprised by how relaxed people were. It was unexpectedly inspiring. I felt like I had to write more and think more and sketch more. My creativity has always been open in places such as that. My favorite places to go are beaches. TulumNothing fancy, just a place that connects me with nature.
