' My art is always rooted in a story'
Shruti Shrivastava, a knitwear designer, started sketching fashion illustrations during her childhood and knew that she wanted to become a fashion designer by the age of 12. While applying to NIFT, she discovered a relatively new course—Knitwear Design.
'It's combination of textiles and fashion design fascinated me, offering something fresh and innovative to explore'
This curiosity led her to pursue knitwear.
Describe your designs in a single sentence
My designs weave storytelling with sustainability, blending cultural heritage
with modern innovation.
What are your three main sources of inspiration?
Music, stories from my surroundings, and spirituality.
My art is always rooted
in a story.
I believe narratives evoke deeper connections, so I ensure every creation carries emotion.
My creative process is quite spontaneous—I draw inspiration from music and my surroundings. I don’t overthink; I follow the ideas that resonate with me the most in the moment.
Which project
has been your
most challenging yet rewarding
experience?
My final year design collection, *Mayajaal,* was a transformative journey.
Initially, I doubted my ability to create
a full collection, especially since I
wasn’t very confident
with technical aspects.
I chose hand knitting as my focus to showcase its untapped potential.
The process was demanding but deeply rewarding. Creating the collection from scratch and seeing the final results gave me
immense pride and newfound
confidence.
What advice would you give someone trying to discover their artistic identity?
Finding your artistic identity is a challenging but rewarding journey. Look inward, engage with diverse cultures and people, and explore everything that sparks your interest. Allow yourself time to grow through trial and error. Travel, meditate, and embrace mistakes—they guide you toward discovering who you truly are.
What’s something people might not know about you as an artist?
While I appear extroverted, I’m deeply sensitive and emotional. This duality can be overwhelming at times, especially as a creative, where overthinking often feels unavoidable.
What’s the scope for knitwear designers in India?
Knitwear is an emerging field in India. While hand knitting has a long history here, it often lacks proper recognition. There’s tremendous potential in this sector, but awareness remains limited. Despite the challenges, I believe it’s worth taking the risk.
Great achievements always come with bold steps.
How do you handle bad days?
I disconnect and spend time in nature, allowing myself to reconnect. I also find solace in the company of like-minded creative individuals who lift my spirits.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I envision owning a slow fashion label, living in a serene environment, crafting sustainable garments, and championing Indian crafts and sustainability. I also see myself creating meaningful content that resonates with these values.
Instagram - Shruti Shrivastva