May 25, 2016 03:30
by Missy
On the verge of another trip to India, Megan talks of her inspiration and love for a country where anything is possible...
How does India inspire you and what is special about India?
India is my second home. I have travelled to India more than 100 times over the 20+ years of working so closely with the incredible team that creates our clothes. Together we have grown – myself as a designer and themselves in their experience.
I love the openness of the people, their warmth and generosity of spirit. Their resourcefulness makes for an exciting and dynamic workplace – nothing is impossible and anything can be tried. India is anything but dull – not a day goes by when I am there that I don’t say ‘ Wow!. In the lead up to my Indian trips I become excited in anticipation. I can’t wait to put into work all that has been sitting till that point, as a sketch on my pinboard.
What does your trip entail? How long are you gone for and what do you plan to do in India?
I spend three weeks per collection in India along with one of my designers. We watch the collection move from being a sketch into a finished garment.
Our days are full and we work long long hours – myself squat next to the embroiderer working up each piece of embroidery and my designer working with the tailoring department, stitching each piece in the collection. Whilst it is men that embroider and stitch, it is generally a team of ladies that create our jewellery. I shop for the beads and components that I find inspiring and then sketch up what I want, working alongside the ladies to realize my ideas.
Tell me about production and why it is so important to see and meet with the embroidery team.
I have always worked closely with our team in India. Much of what we do requires my working directly with the embroiderers. I can sketch an embroidery but a sketch can be realized in a million different ways once translated into a 3 dimensional embroidery. Sometimes when working on the frame, the unexpected happens as we bring together my ideas with that of the kuriger who is creating the embroidery.
I feel that so much would never be realised or not to its full potential if I worked at a distance from my team in India. I work with the most talented team, they produce for some of the best design houses Internationally and to spend time with them keeps me connected to the heart of what we are about. It is the most satisfying part of what I do in my business.
Tell us something about the next collection. What can we expect from Megan Park?
I have gone ‘back to my root’s, so to speak. Moving on from a print focused Winter, next Summer is full of beautiful refined embroideries. I sought inspiration from my archive of antique textiles – beauties that I have treasured for year and years.
There is a real ‘collectability’ to next season, I think it will excite those that love the essence of our brand and the hand work that goes into each and every piece.
Colours such as citrine and flame orange will pop through the collection and the jewels are crazy gorgeous if I do say so myself – bead woven baubles of colour, intricate hand embroidered earrings and necklaces that move the jewellery into a style not seen before.
What is one thing you always take travelling?
When travelling to India - hand sanitizer and some good bottles of wine. In Delhi, the dust in air you cannot escape and at night, nothing beats some chilled white wine with a curry at home.
What do you miss the most when you travel?
My husband Ant and our kids Ella and Marley. Luckily though with skype I never feel too far away. I even watched a full school concert via skype from my hotel bed in North Carolina once!
Missy wants to say a big thank you to Megan Park for sharing this interview. Sign up to their newsletter and shop online here: www.meganpark.com.au
