Tell Us, Who Are Your Creative Role Models?

The Word.: Who are your creative role models?

Nikhil Mehra: “It has always been [late designer] Alexander McQueen. The sense of balance in his work never fails to leave me awestruck. I have never really looked beyond another figure as my inspiration.”

Shantanu Mehra: “I don’t have a role model, per se. I feel that creativity has no boundaries and depending on my current mood or the season’s flavour, I find something that truly triggers my creativity. For instance, recently, I felt inspired by Pharrell Williams’ [Men’s Creative Director] debut collection for Louis Vuitton.”

Princess Pea: “I would say writer and novelist Virginia Woolf, and poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.”

Gurjeet Singh: “Anyone who passionately and relentlessly works hard to realise their dreams is a role model to me. When you do that, even if you fail, those failures make you stronger and push you to rise again.”

Ishita Mangal: “I am captivated by couturier Rahul Mishra’s designs and creative process. His profound passion and dedication allow his craft to speak for itself, devoid of any unnecessary distractions or pretence.”

Gautam Kalra: “I admire people who are unique and fearless. I have had many role models over the years, but if I had to pick, I would say [late designers] John Galliano and Issey Miyake, and closer home, I admire designers like Rajesh Pratap Singh, Manish Arora, and [late photographer] Prabuddha Dasgupta.”