WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A DESIGNER?
Designing has always been in me. It was just about finding the right time to do it and having that little push I needed to start.
HOW DID YOU START AS A DESIGNER?
When I was in high school, I started to take advantage of my family's garment factory and I would ask one of the sewers to make designs I had in mind. I continued to do this in college and my friends started to notice. They would ask me to reproduce it for them. I knew I wanted to get into design—it was just a matter of planning it out.
WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR DESIGN TRAINING?
I haven’t had formal training but the exposure in garment making [while I was] growing up helped me.
WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?
Always use the best material. Quality control is very important.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC?
Clean-cut, bold and unique.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?
Everything around me.
WHO ARE YOUR STYLE ICONS? YOUR STYLE INFLUENCES/INSPIRATIONS?
Audrey Hepburn! I love her classic style. I also keep myself updated by browsing the web and reading lots of local and international magazines.
WHICH DESIGNERS/ARTISTS DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN?
Locally, I love Kate Torralba! I love her whimsical style; she always manages to stand out. Inno Sotto is an icon, and Rajo Laurel is a genius. For foreign designers, I love Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld and Vera Wang for her gowns. Victoria Beckham also amazes me. She’s a mom who runs around in her stilettos and has branded herself really well.
WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO DRESS? WHO ARE THE CLIENTS YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH?
Anyone and everyone can carry my bag and accessories. I enjoy hearing honest feedback from my friends and I love it when someone I don’t know appreciates my work.
WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF TIMELESS STYLE?
Still, Audrey Hepburn—love her! Oh, and Jackie O.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A DESIGNER?
I limit my bag production to 1 to 3 pieces per design so I always have to come up with new designs that are uniquely beautiful.
WHICH ASPECT OF THE DESIGN PROCESS DO YOU ENJOY MOST?
I love sourcing materials! That whole process alone teaches me so much about fashion and I sometimes will create a design based on a material I find striking.
WHAT'S THE BEST CLOTHING ITEM/ACCESSORY WOMEN/MEN SHOULD HAVE?
For men, a classic watch. It always makes them that much more appealing. For women, a nice bag and the perfect amount of accessories pull an outfit together. Oh, and a woman should never forget to bring her confidence with her wherever she goes.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GARMENT OR FASHION ACCESSORY?
Bags!
ANY CURRENT TRENDS THAT YOU'RE FOND OF? ANY CURRENT OBSESSIONS?
Trousers! I love how the masculine look can make a woman look so sexy.
HOW HAVE YOU EVOLVED AS A DESIGNER?
More streamlined, polished and definitely not as girly-girl as my style was in high school and college.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?
The success of my launch. I was so nervous about it, but in the end I was extremely happy with the turnout and how people responded to my designs.
WHAT ASPECT OF DESIGN DO YOU SEEK TO MASTER?
I definitely want to learn more about bag design. I plan to take short courses over the summer.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
Lunches, high tea with friends, fun nights out over the weekend and movies on Sundays.
FAVORITE SHOPPING AND TRAVEL DESTINATIONS?
I love going to Singapore and Hong Kong. And I love the designer finds in Europe. The internet is pretty awesome too; you can get anything you want shipped here.
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Yes, absolutely! Bags, watches and shoes! Every couple of months I raid my mom’s closet and pick up a piece of vintage jewelry from her. I don’t think she realizes that I now have a collection of her "I don’t wear anymore" accessories.
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? FILMS YOU WATCH? BOOKS YOU READ?
I’m an R&B girl. Recently I've found myself reading books that have anything to do with fashion.
OTHER PASTIMES, PASSIONS, INTERESTS ASIDE FROM FASHION?
When I have time, I teach as a substitute teacher. I have enjoyed being a sub as I get to teach higher levels. I was so used to teaching preschool for quite a while.
WHAT PROFESSION WOULD YOU BE IN IF YOU WEREN’T A DESIGNER?
Education—teaching still.
WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO FROM YOU AS A DESIGNER?
Besides working with different kinds of leather, I’m also working on developing my accessory line. I have stingray cuffs now but I plan to add more to it. You will definitely see more cuffs and necklaces.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PHILIPPINE FASHION INDUSTRY NEEDS MOST IN ORDER TO FLOURISH?
The fashion industry now is so supportive of new local designers. I think we need to really build on this and keep promoting our local talents.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS?
Take the time to plan out your collection and your whole package as a brand and a designer. Branding is very important.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR RESHMA CHULANI?
Well, I'm working on my second collection now and I’m hoping to reach a broader market. The goal is to open my own store.
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