Today we’d like to introduce you to Neha Kapil.
Neha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
AGNI is a fusion, streetwear brand that I initially started as an artistic outlet to explore my many creative interests shortly after graduating college. I had started out as a visual artist but found myself very drawn to beauty, fashion, photography, and graphic design. At the time, my work was very scattered and I was struggling to find my voice as an artist. I wanted to create a connection between all the pieces of my artistry, which is why I was looking to build something where I could be accepted as multifaceted. All I knew was that I wanted to use multiple mediums to be able to reach people and create something bigger than myself. What started out as sketches & illustrations ended up turning into a lot of experimenting on how to create wearable art that not only looks unique but empowers people to recognize their strengths & importance, represents culture in a positive light, and brings something new to the streetwear market.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Working on AGNI has definitely been extremely rewarding, but with that satisfaction comes a lot of struggles. I was someone who didn’t have a background in fashion design, which made getting started very intimidating. I was an artist with a lot of ideas, but I had no idea what I was doing and how I was going to transform my paintings & drawings to physical garments. On top of being an entrepreneur and having to take on a lot of new roles, I also had to teach myself how to screenprint, draft patterns, use a sewing machine, source fabrics, and how to achieve proper quality and fitting, all of which I didn’t understand and found overwhelming in the beginning.
On the other hand, I found introducing a new concept to the market particularly difficult. As a designer, I always want to create pieces that are really different, but when you enter an industry categorized by quick trends, it’s hard to create a balance between giving your customers what they want and not compromising your artistic vision. You want to empower people & make them feel confident but you want to be able to do it on your own terms and be respected for that.
AGNI – what should we know?
AGNI is a clothing line inspired by South Asian art and culture. The name AGNI itself means “fire” in Hindi, which metaphorically represents what we stand for. The physical properties of fire can be dangerous, but just as much as it possesses the ability to burn, it also possesses the unique ability to bring light to dark spaces. Like fire, we believe that every person possesses a duality of intense fierceness just as much as we all have the power to shine our light upon the world. It’s this kind of power that is the core of our fashion and the message we use to inspire & empower youth everywhere.
As a fashion label, we are also known for bringing art to the forefront and injecting a sense of maximalism into the otherwise minimalistic world of streetwear. Being inspired by South Asian culture, we aim to bring the intricacies and details of our community to the world and prove that representation matters. I’m proud that we’re able to take our stories, experiences, and everything beautiful about who we are and fuse it into something contemporary yet still true to our roots. This is why our motto is “fire to be fearless,” a reminder to be loud and proud with culture, expression, and staying true to oneself.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is having the courage to be unapologetically yourself. It’s being able to take everything you stand for and turn it into something beautiful, fulfilling, and worthy of your time. Success is when you realize your life’s purpose and you’ll stop at nothing to manifest your dreams. If you can do all that without falling into the traps of society or being influenced by what others think of you, then success is inevitable. Success is not just widespread recognition or financial gain, it’s knowing that your hard work is changing the world through innovation and inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.agnistyle.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agnistyle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgniStyle/
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