“Words intoxicate me” –
Arwa Turra
Arwa Turra describes
herself as a designer, story teller , artist and mom. This Indian expat is
currently living in Jamaica professionally as a Designer and have worked as an
Interior Designer in India and Dubai for several years. She is known for her
unique flower art that we first saw at “Moda Market” last
November. Her pieces were so beautiful that we used one of the “Ballerina Girls”
as our Cover Page Image for our special Christmas Gift Guide Magazine. When she shared exclusively that she would be releasing a T-Shirt Collection we just had to get first dibs! Today, The Haute Lifestyle goes Behind the Seams with Arwa Turra.
THP: So, how did you become a T-Shirt
Designer?
A.T: My art is one of a kind -- It’s a medium to tell stories of
strong & independent women from across the world. The focus of my art is
the Woman -- drawn to reflect the poise and grandeur she possess and is
supported by architecture from the country she belongs to, drawn as the
backdrop. But, what really makes my artwork unique and draws attention, is the
use of silk flowers to design the dresses of the illustration. The layers of
flowers add a third dimension in otherwise flat two dimensional works. I
am a self-taught artist and when I showcased my art, I got enough love and
appreciation from across the world. As I progressed with my art techniques, I
wanted to discover different 'canvas' (surfaces & mediums) to 'draw my
stories' and so I thought of doing it on fabric. I want people to not just adorn their walls but to dress themselves
in my art. Also through clothes my work can reach out globally to art
lovers.
THP: We know you as an Artisan, why did
you decide to tap into the T-Shirt market?
A.T: There are people who are satisfied with the products off the
shelves and then there are some fashionistas who don't settle for ordinary but
want their outfits to be given special attention. I want to cater to those
fashionistas and art lovers with my handmade art and crafts on t-shirts and
dresses. Also, many of my audience saw my illustrations & their dresses,
and said that the dresses look so real that they wanted to get it for
themselves. So to fulfil the requests of my fans to make my art wearable, I
started investing my time and passion into this new product.
THP: Talk us through your creative process
A.T: First comes the passion to do something gratifying and unique,
then comes the ideas & the drive to accomplish it, then I brainstorm the
concepts which should bring out the story I brew in my mind at the weirdest
hours of the day like 3-4 a.m. (hence my writing page - 'Spilled
Thoughts at 4am', but that’s for another day!) and once I know what I am
going to do, the process is easy and fast. I prepare few rough sketches,
finalize one; paint, stick and sew the flowers or jewels to bring the
illustration to life. The final test is that I wear it and check myself in the
mirror thousand times to see how cool it looks (or not!) and then I make it
public.
THP: What is your biggest reason to get out
of bed every day?
A.T: Apart from my kids jumping on my back and yelling in my ears, my
desire to get back to my artwork and quickly sketch the ideas which were
instilled by some secret force in my mind overnight. No, I am not joking, just
trying to be poetic because I love writing and reading too.
THP: Tell us a little bit about your new
T-shirt collection?
A.T: This collection will be my first collection and it consists of
t-shirts and summer dresses with my handmade and embellished illustrations onto
them. It is made out of love for girls and women who are fashion and art lovers
and are so proud of being a woman. The different kind of illustrations would
cater to different kinds of women. The Free spirited Bohemian, The selfie
queens, The pout queens, The Chic and Stylish Dresser, The down to Earth soul,
etc.
People who have followed
my art will now see it on clothes and will be able to wear them. I intend to do
my next set of collection on different styles of tops and dresses but it will
always be casual, street wear and fun party dresses.
THP: Which of the T-Shirts are your
personal favorites?
A.T: The Bohemian girl on the white t-shirt because I love that
illustration and I feel connected to that personality of being free spirited,
fun loving yet very chic. Also it can be paired up with blue denim shorts,
which are my personal favorite and can become a very effortless casual chic
outfit.
THP: Imagine you were stranded on a
deserted Island... What 3 items would you take?
A.T: My family pics, a good book and chocolates!
THP: What can we expect from you in coming
months?
A.T: More and more stories scribbled, painted on various surfaces and
new designs and styles of my wearable arts.
THP: Where can we find your T-shirts?
A.T: Individuals and
boutique owners who wish to buy my hand painted clothes can contact me on my
Instagram (@arwaturra) and FB (Form Fashion & Flowers) page until I develop
my website and I shall keep my followers on Instagram and FB page updated about
developments on my side.
Photo Credits:
Natasha Camille Photography
Arwa Turra
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