Colourful and cool. That's what preview pictures of Mayyur Girotra's first luxury pret collection, Aikya, look like. The collection will launch at New York Pride 2023, in collaboration with Pride at Google and the Indus Google Network, on June 2. Mayyur tells The Telegraph what to expect.
Mayyur Girotra
Congratulations! Who broke the news to you about the participation at New York Pride 2023?
Thank you! Mira, my business partner in New York, broke the big news to me. She told me we may have Pride Google and Google Indus Network backing our show, celebrating Pride in New York. It all began from there and gradually it manifested.
How did you celebrate?
I was definitely very excited but I kept my calm. Initially, I kept the news under wraps and focused on my collection. The real celebration for me was to create my collection, it was such a beautiful and emotional experience. Every garment produced was very well thought of. It was mostly about celebrating at work with my team, brainstorming and creating something meaningful. I am going to celebrate post the show.
How have you planned your showcase?
My showcase is happening at Ave, Soho West Broadway. Back in the day, Ave was a historic art gallery. We are converting the entire space into a gallery format again. We will be exhibiting portraits of South Asians from the LGBTQIA+ community on fabric. It is going to be a minimalist setup but definitely a fun show.
What are you showing?
I am thrilled to launch my first luxury pret collection, Aikya, which means unity. This collection is a celebration of diversity and the power of unity, which is more important now than ever before. The Aikya collection is a reflection of my belief that fashion can be a unifying force that brings people together, regardless of their differences. Each piece in the collection has been meticulously crafted to celebrate the unique beauty of different cultures and styles. From intricate embroidery to bold prints and vibrant colours, the Aikya collection is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India, and the beauty of diversity.
The movement is so much about freedom. How have you captured that in the spirit of the collection?
Freedom is not to be questioned, not to be explained, it flows just the way you wake up in the morning, breathe and live, it's all freedom. The same way you should feel about love, you don't need validation when you love someone, you don't need acceptance from society. ‘Aikya’ is dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community. All love is venerated by my designs, where the community is free to express and wear, regardless of their gender, orientation or identity. The designs highlight the uniqueness of each individual who wears them. I am lucky to have the freedom to express myself creatively and want to pay homage to all the brave individuals who have fought for the freedom that the community has today.
Talking of freedom, what does it mean to you?
As soon as you come out of your mother’s womb, you are born with freedom. You are supposed to express yourself with freedom, without fear. Freedom is where there is no judgement and no fear. Life is supposed to be lived in freedom not only in terms of who you love but all spheres of life.
What/who else are you excited to catch at the New York Pride 2023?
I usually spend my summers in New York and have lots of friends there. During the month of Pride, in June, we go to different bars and coffee shops and meet like-minded people. It is such a beautiful and colourful environment. You get to meet such amazing people from all across the globe. My showcase at the New York Pride is a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to do something in the month of Pride and it has manifested so beautifully.
Who are icons of self-expression, when it comes to designing?
If you ask me who inspires me in terms of the language of freedom through fashion, in India, it would be Manish Arora and internationally it would be Vivienne Westwood. As a designer, I really respect and admire their work. Freedom comes through their designs and language. Their contribution to the world of fashion is amazing. Their designs are free, full of love and accessibility.
Do you have a favourite moment in fashion pertaining to the freedom of who you want to be?
I don't really have a particular favourite moment. When you're in the profession of art, designing every piece brings freedom with it. There is so much liberty in crafting a garment because it's just you and your thoughts which are translated into the garment. Hence, every collection I have created gave me freedom and free-flowing expression that has translated into my designs. But if you really ask me now, my favourite moment would be now, when I'm going to celebrate Pride in New York with a gender-fluid, non-binary collection. We are not in the box but out there, open to possibilities in solidarity and strength. Everything comes together through fashion and my runway.
What is your favourite thing to do in New York?
For me, no trip to New York is complete without visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Also, the Museum of Arts and Design is one of my favourites. If you wish to explore markets and galleries, there are many options in Chelsea and Soho. I love visiting Brooklyn to discover young artists and eclectic, boho-chic designers, who are doing some great stuff. It’s always inspiring to meet them and visit these streets.