Meet Kireshen Chetty, the architect bridging fashion and design
Coming from humble beginnings and born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, professional architect Kireshen Chetty has successfully mastered the arts by merging his love for fashion and architecture.
Chetty’s father worked in the construction industry and his mother studied fashion. He studied architecture because he always wanted to be an architect. He completed his Master’s and undergraduate degrees at Wits.
“I worked in the industry for a few years but when I started working, there was something that was missing, in that I would often design things for my sister or I would often make myself things and people would say: ‘You know, you should take this thing up’.
“In 2011, I did my first fashion show at Max School of Fashion at Gateway and, believe it or not, I did an Eastern range, my first collection, and it was accepted by everybody,” Chetty said.
He started getting booked to do shows at events and competed in the JSE Young Designer of the Year, winning it in 2011, and the Durban July design contests.
He also took part in the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) and the reality TV show, “Project Runway South Africa”, which propelled him into the spotlight.
Following in the footsteps of his parents’ creativity, Chetty juggles being a professional architect and running his own practice with being a bespoke fashion designer.
“Fashion is something I enjoy. It’s art, something that I create, so even when you look at my pieces, nothing looks the same. It’s not something that is ready to wear; it’s always something that’s very intricate and detailed because I love using my hands.
“I’m self-taught. I felt like I always had to work twice or three times as hard because I never studied and never had connections. I had to work harder to get noticed because I wasn’t part of a fashion school,” he said.
Below he shares more insight into his journey:
What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
I grew up in a creative home and my mom had studied fashion. She was impeccably dressed and I think that was passed down to us where growing up. I would always make sure I was also impeccably dressed.
I would often browse through magazines or watch TV and would always want to look like those people. I would always want to be fashion-forward and took it upon myself to start making my own clothing.
I’ve also always been a really skinny child; nothing ever fitted me, so I found myself altering my own stuff to make it fit better. I think that’s where my love for fashion actually stemmed from.
You were one of the Top 3 designers for “Project Runway SA”. Tell us about the experience.
When I applied, I took a chance. Again, being a self-taught designer, I didn’t think I stood a chance. I was shortlisted and there were quite a few of us who were flown up to Johannesburg.
We had to do an entry test, almost like an introduction of ourselves, and I failed the test hopelessly. It was hilarious the way I panicked and my machine needles kept breaking.
The skirt I made in that 30 minutes ended up being disastrous but I think it was probably entertaining for the producers to watch and that’s why they got me on. It was an amazing experience.
I got to meet many people in the industry and I got to learn from them. They often laugh and say that after my initial interview, they thought I was going to be the first one out but I just persevered and stayed true to myself and my design. I was consistent.
It was a tough time because I was away from my family and friends and had no contact with them for weeks on end. I was also under pressure, filming throughout the day while having early mornings and late nights.
It wasn’t as if we could go home – we were under hectic deadlines. What you see is what you get. I made it to the Top 3 and I loved every moment of it.
My final collection was something so close to me. Being in a democratic South Africa and what we have learnt from Madiba are I took as my inspiration. So, yes, it was an amazing experience and yes, I would do it again because I learnt so much from that reality TV show.
As a designer, how does your creative process look and where do you draw your inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from my surroundings. I’m creative, I love creative things, I love art, I love colour and when it comes to fashion, I always feel like fashion should accentuate the human form and the human body.
No human form and body are the same. We all are individuals, we all get to express ourselves individually. We have an individual identity, and that is where my creative ability comes from.
You’re a bespoke fashion designer. How would you define a bespoke fashion designer? What does it mean to you?
It depends on your client, your client base and who you are designing for. It’s about the person; you want to make them feel comfortable.
You want them to look beautiful in your garment, so when it comes to designing a bespoke piece, you would design according to your client’s needs. You are there as a professional, taking their vision and turning it into a reality using your expertise.
Why are platforms like DFF important for designers?
It’s so good that we have platforms like DFF and Fashion Week to showcase our work. It’s where you get to show your creative genius.
You get to express yourself and it’s your collection, so you’re not doing what a client wants; you’re showing your abilities. It’s also important to celebrate designers and celebrate everybody’s work and their creativity.
In order to survive in the cut-throat industry, what are the important attributes designers should have?
For any designer, you have to grow thick skin. You have to be able to take criticism. You’ve got to be able to modify and morph accordingly.
It’s not that clients have unrealistic expectations but you’ve got to be able to advise them.
It’s a tough industry to be in because you’re always going to get a person who’s more creative and quicker than you, but you just have to be able to take it with a pinch of salt and prove yourself.
As a creative, how do you manage the business side of things?
As I mentioned, I’m an architect by profession and I bring a lot of business skills from my architectural practice into my fashion design. Fashion design started as a hobby for me and now, it has become a second career.
I’m so grateful that both are creative careers and feed off each other. In terms of business, so far, I’ve been able to handle the business side of things.
You learn as you go and I think it all comes with experience.