Supriya Lele: A BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist
Supriya Lele is an Indian-British designer and a rising talent in the London fashion scene. A graduate of the Royal College of London, she received an MA in Fashion Womenswear. Upon graduation, Lulu Kennedy, an editor-at-large of LOVE Magazine, scouted her and helped Lele make her debut at London Fashion Week. In 2020, she was a finalist for the 2020 LVMH Prize, an award she shared with 7 other finalists. Lele has quickly accumulated a cult following with her designs being worn by celebrities from Dua Lipa to Rihanna.
Her Process of Cross Cultural Design
Firstly, sensual, cerebral is how Lele describes her aesthetic. At first glance, this can’t be disputed. She has a weakness for low-cut pants, slits that reveal the curve of the waist, sheer blouses and dresses. Yet she says that her vision is a reimagination of her Indian heritage and how it might fit with her British sensibilities. India so deeply influences her design process that she travels there every season to incite inspiration. Given the distinctive elements both cultures possess, it is undoubtedly a remarkable balance Lele has achieved in her work.
The feel of the label is a reflection of Lele’s youth in Britain — clubbing, participating in different subcultures (punk, goth). Her ethnic heritage comes into play regarding the color and cut of the garments. For instance: the asymmetrical draping of the sari inspires a dress fit for the club. Her A/W 2021 collection featured a handful of trousers embellished with floral motifs, found in the Madhya Pradesh region. Her color palettes – orange and pink, canary yellow – are all common in the Indian subcontinent where people prefer bold colors. Lele manages to create outfits one could imagine in London nightlife without succumbing to the “black is edgy” mantra.
Lele subverts the stereotype of modesty commonly associated with South Asian fashion. In fact, the curve of the sari or cropped blouse worn underneath has winks of sensuality that correspond with her own designs. It is a cerebral interpretation in cross cultural design and she has become a foremost up-and-coming designer.
Finally, Supriya Lele and 7 others are on the shortlist for the BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund. If Lele wins the prize, she will win £200,000 and received mentoring from fashion industry veterans.
Featured Image via The Business of Fashion