About Me
Hi, I’m Chaya! A fashion design graduate from the Uni of Huddersfield.
Chaya Mistry is a creative of British-Indian heritage who specialises in Fashion Design and Marketing. Her research and personal connection to Indian history, heritage and religion combine to create content that celebrates the culture.For her final year collection, she designed a fusion-wear range based upon the concept of Cultural Appropriation and identity.
In the exploration of this concept, I began to question my view on my culture, subsequently leading me to me question my own cultural identity. I came to realise how much my family and I have ‘westernised’ ourselves in order to fit into society and therefore wanted to show how there is beauty in the fusion of different cultures. I have keen interests in design, illustration and product development and aim to combine these to create work that educates others about cultures that are often overlooked, challenge the status quo and empowers our generation.
INSPIRATION
I was initially inspired by elements of my culture that have been (are still are) appropriated.
This was done in the hope that my collection will showcase these well-known aspects of Indian culture in a reinvigorated light. Primary and Secondary images of Indian jewellery, Henna (Mehndi), Fabrics and Bindi’s were used as a basis for creative exploration. Additionally, the exploitation of Indian religions like Hinduism were researched, through images of the appropriation of religious symbols (the Om Symbol) and Gods (Lord Ganesh, Kaali Maa).
As I began to question my self-identity, my heritage and family history also influenced my designs through the analysis of Indian and western clothing worn by members of my family following their journey from India to the UK. Historic family photo’s of my grandparents, parents and relatives formed a sense of authenticity behind my research. I then began to illustrate ideas surrounding the concept of dual-identity and the balancing of cultures.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Concept
Line-Up
Fabric and Colour
Range Plan
Outfit 2
Outfit 3
Outfit 4
Outfit 5
Outfit 6
Oversized Necklace Journey Board
Gold Slip Journey Board
Sari Dress Journey Board
Ganesh Jumpsuit Journey Board
Coat/Dress Journey Board
Lookbook Image 1
Lookbook Image 2
Lookbook Image 3
Lookbook Image 4
Lookbook Image 5
DETAIL
I intricately decorated my pieces with appliqué, gems and trims in order to convey the elaborate nat
Outfit 1 is a floor-length sheer dress made from patch-worked donated Sari fabrics, with a gold binded extra low v-neckline and loose bell style sleeves. The dress also has hand-glued rhinestones on the pink panel. Paired with this is a metallic gold slinky mini dress/slip with gold embroidered trim and halter neck roulette strap tie at the back neck. Outfit 2 is a Midnight Blue Floor-Length Coat-Dress with an asymmetrical patterned fabric collar, jet pockets and contrast lining. There is also a Bottle Green draped scarf made from sari fabric, that hangs around the body. Outfit 3 is a Midnight Blue Duchess Satin Jumpsuit with a Gold Lame, hand-drawn ‘Ganesh’ face, panelled sari fabric legs, gold trims and an appliqué patterned chest. There is also a collar stand, contrasting pink zip, gold binding and a back neck hook and eye opening. Hand-glued rhinestones trail down the trunk and embellish the chest of the jumpsuit.
’MY CULTURE IS NOT YOUR COSTUME’
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