From the idyllic hills of Sanawar to the gilded runways of Paris and the cosmopolitan avenues of New York, Rajdeep Ranawat has fashioned a legacy steeped in colour, craftsmanship, and culture. As a master of prints and an ardent storyteller, his work transcends the ephemeral tides of fashion, embodying a philosophy that is both enduring and evocative.

Rajdeep Ranawat’s journey into design wasn’t happenstance but an innate artistic calling. “I think I’ve always been an artist,” he recalls. As a child, he loved painting, and his father, an army officer, encouraged his creative inclinations. At The Lawrence School, Sanawar, he honed his instincts before pursuing fashion at NIFT, where he ranked among the top 20 in the country. “I moulded my artistic skills into clothing. Till today, I’m known for art to wear and for prints.”

But prints weren’t his immediate forte. “It took me four to five years to realise my talent in fashion,” he admits. Initially drawn to embroidery, he found his designs quickly copied by the wholesale market. This led him to digital printing, a medium that granted both artistic freedom and commercial viability. His design process is instinctive and immersive. “I travel, photograph murals, street art, and even people’s attire. I study history and costumes, then return to make a mood board and then a collection.”

Paris and New York profoundly shaped his sensibilities. He reminisces about his time in the French capital, “I worked for a French brand called Ishwar that was based in Delhi, and they used to love having me there for six months during the prêt-à-porter shows. I worked with the French designers who mastered prints for all of France.” His time there reinforced the importance of commercial viability, refining his approach to design. “Paris taught me work ethics. It taught me to maintain a diary from early morning till evening and tick mark everything. And they loved colour – that time, and I love colour too.”

New York, in contrast, sharpened his market acumen. “It was all about what the buyer wanted – colourful, monochrome, simple silhouettes.” While Parisian designers leaned into intricate cuts, American fashion prioritised functionality. These influences blended into his signature style: fluid, wearable pieces with artistic storytelling.

Despite international exposure, his roots remain firmly in India. “I started my brand with two tailors at the back of my house. I didn’t have a mannequin, so I made square ponchos and kaftans, added my prints, a bit of embroidery, marked them up by 500 rupees – and they sold out in two days.” That experience shaped his understanding of the Indian market.

“You have to study the clientele’s geography. That’s when you attain success. And the response has been tremendous.” Today, his label has flagship stores across Delhi, Goa, Dubai, and Hyderabad. Launching his Hyderabad store, he recalled NIFT study tours to museums showcasing Nizam jewels. “That always stayed with me.” The result was Nizam, a collection fusing European sensibilities with Hyderabadi essence, featuring Swarovski crystals and regal prints. For Goa, he embraced Portuguese influences in Love in Portofino, while Dubai’s offerings – kaftans, jalabiyas, abayas – drew from Arabic culture. Each collection from the label pays homage to a place, culture, or era.

Despite a relentless pace – creating up to 200 designs monthly – he has no appetite for ephemeral fads. “I think it’s best to create your own trend because you have a vast clientele, and we create something for every woman.” Having said that, his love affair with silk remains steadfast: “I think my favourite fabric is pure silk, 100% silk. It gives a very rich look, right?”

As for the future, he says, “I know when to stop. Maybe one or two more stores, but I’m happy with multi-designer stores working with us.” For Rajdeep, success isn’t measured by fleeting trends or aggressive expansion. It lies in the joy his creations bring. “I think it should be remembered for making people happy, for making people get compliments when they wear my clothes, for making them feel comfortable, beautiful, and luxurious. I think they already do that, hopefully,” he chuckles.

And in that hope, in that quiet confidence, lies the heart of an artist who has made the world his canvas and fashion his art.