Inspiration can come from anywhere, even the most unlikely places, and for Sougat Paul, the brainchild of SOUP – it comes from the smallest piece of fabric print, an old rug or even crockery. The most seemingly trivial texture or artwork holds the ability to instantly spark the designer’s imagination!
Sougat Paul’s creations are highly sought-after in the industry by celebrities and enthusiasts alike. According to him, the essence of a good designer or any creative person is the ability to bring two most unlikely products together to create something totally unique – and that’s what he strives to do, every single time.
His very first collection – adorned with exquisite threadwork and presented at the Gen Next Show at Lakme Fashion Week – was also his first time making Couture clothing. His first print collection too, was a roaring success commercially and bagged him an invite for an interview with a prestigious fashion label in New York.
Today, Sougat Paul is a household name in Indian design. We delve deeper into his label SOUP, and his life as a designer & dreamer.
The Label
SOUP was launched in the year 2009, and shortly after, it got listed on various multi-designer sites in India. It’s no surprise that the label has been topping the charts! One can wishlist their favourites on its website too.
The designer started out with a lot of prints, as he was very inspired by textiles and tribal motifs. “My attachment is to the concept of a print. If it has a history, even better. Craft work, art, really inspires me,” he shares.
“Our clothes tend to be traditional outfits with a coy. It can be a tight ropewalk sometimes but who doesn’t want to feel young. We try to make clothes young at heart with an old soul.”
SOUP’s collections always strive to strike a connection with what already exists. They don’t change or do a 180-degree flip; instead, include elements that set them apart from the rest and can also be traced back to the designer.
The stunning Indian and fusion wear is fused with modern sensibilities while staying true to culture. In describing his label, and finding the right balance between ‘culture’ and ‘contemporary’, Sougat Paul says, “Our clothes tend to be traditional outfits with a coy. It can be a tight ropewalk sometimes but who doesn’t want to feel young. We try to make clothes young at heart with an old soul.”
Versatile designs, intricate detailing and silhouettes that are the perfect mix of classic and modern – this is what SOUP is known & loved for. Leading names like Alka Yagnik, Tapsee Pannu, Rakul Preet, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tahira Kashyap and more leading names have been seen in the label’s creations. They hold the power to steal the show!
The Man Behind The Label
An Engineering aspirant turned designer, Sougat Paul studied fashion at N.I.F.T., Kolkata. Later, he made his way to Mumbai to pursue his dream, and went on to work at a clothing store called Kimaya as a stylist.
When he decided to debut his collection at Lakme Fashion Week, he had no Plan B! Turns out, he didn’t need one, because his designs were a hit.
On being asked about the biggest influence on his career, he says that among other designers, it was Sabyasachi Mukherjee that moved him the most. “Honestly, he was not very money-minded or didn’t start out with a lot, no major funding. This also inspired me a lot, to see that someone from such a humble background can grow so much. It gives us hope as we come from a similar background,” he adds.
Sougat believes he is a learning robot, and treats every day as a chance to know something new. His initial years were spent fire-fighting, and struggling to stay afloat.
For the following months, he has a lot of visions that he wishes to turn into reality.
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