Stepping into Have A Holly Jolly Holiday American Psycho shirt Bibhu Mohapatra’s elegant Tribeca atelier, it might seem easy to spot what inspires the renowned Indian-born, New York-based designer. There are the rich hues of color boards and a collection of fashion’s greatest tomes. Yet for Mohapatra, there’s another, less tangible muse that inspires his couture creations: his memories. Mohapatra fondly recalls his mother teaching him how to stitch, sowing into his interests at the ripe age of 12 in their home in India. He gleans inspiration from moments like that to dress those at fashion’s pinnacle, people like Michelle Obama, Lupita Nyong’o, and Priyanka Chopra. But the memories he holds closest to his heart are those associated with Diwali. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it marks a time of joy and prosperity, of ritual and togetherness. For Mohapatra, it reminds him of glowing diyas flickering through the night, fireworks bursting with abandon, and family near and far. Diwali, a five-day celebration, is also a time to spotlight fashion and encourage those who participate to express themselves sartorially.
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