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The curious case of a woman and her kettle

By Anita Aikara
February 02, 2018 10:20 IST

Susan Mantosh, head of an international school of design in Kolkata, who wears her heart on her sleeve, proved that the rules of fashion are meant to be broken.

Reportage: Anita Aikara/Rediff.comVideo by Afsar Dayatar/Rediff.com 

What's special about your outfit for LFW?

I created this outfit from scratch. I dyed it into checks, so that people can 'check it out'!

The kettle has been handpainted and the necklace is handmade by the artisans of Bengal.

I dislike being ordinary and love something avant garde.

I didn't want to blend in with everyone and carry a handbag, so I carried a kettle instead. I have designed 20 kettles, so they all match my outfits.

Have you even been criticised for your fashion choices? How do you deal with it?

I once came across a phrase on Facebook which read, 'People laugh at me because I'm different, but I laugh at everyone because you are all the same!' 

Indians are so worried about what the society thinks of them, so they dress accordingly. They want to please society.

I haven't really bothered about pleasing everybody. I just please myself and try to set a trend for others.

Once I went to the New Market in Kolkata and someone looked at me and laughed. I thought to myself, 'It is okay, you can laugh today.'

How easy it is for you to get the right outfit in the right size?

I don't even bother looking! I create my own outfits. I don't buy ready-made stuff because it is so boring. Everything I wear is made-to-order. 

I think there should be fashion for the oversize and the older people too.

The only mantra people should follow is 'Be yourself and wear what you want'.

I maybe look bizarre, but I'm enjoying it.

Fashion advice

Always accessorise! Without these accessories, I would have just been just another person walking around at the fashion week.

All my accessories have a story behind it and that makes my look special. 

Watch Susan Mantosh talk about her outfit at the Lakme Fashion Week

 

FULL COVERAGE: Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2018

Anita Aikara / Rediff.com

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