Today we’d like to introduce you to Akasha Rec.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Akasha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in LA but my roots are from Gujarat, India. I went to India in 2013 for my cousin’s wedding and was inspired by the beauty hidden in my culture and I didn’t wanna lose that part of me. Growing up in Los Angeles, I felt like I wasn’t deeply connected to my roots and wanted to find a way to express that side of me through my own art of fashion. I feel like I’m breaking boundaries and empowering women to feel confident in their own skin. I started learning how to sow in 2013 and I have been growing since then.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As an artist, you want to focus on your creations and perfect your art, not necessarily focusing on the business side. One challenge I had was figuring out how to sell my products, figuring out my market and finding a balance between both, create art and selling it at the same time. I was lucky to find Day Dream Here in Escondido that believed in me and my art. They decided to carry my products there.
I have been selling online and at Festivals like LIB (Lighting in a Bottle), Dessert Hearts, Symbiosis and others. Another challenge I have faced as an Indian Designer is the issue of conservatism, rooted deep in Indian culture is the idea that woman should cover up and be “more respectful”, but as we move into the future, we must be able to fully step into our authentic self. As much as I love my culture, I have to be able to discern what parts of work for me as a first generation Indian American designer.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Namaslay Collective – what should we know?
In Namaslay Collective, I am most known for bringing Indian inspired clothing with unique twist of building a bridge of east and the west. All of my creations are one of a kind pieces made out of a vintage saris… Each piece is versatile and can be worn multiple ways. I am the most proud of connecting and empowering women of different backgrounds to feel worthy, beautiful and loved.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
One of my biggest inspirations, supporters and motivators Jas Samra. Sometimes I felt like working on Namaslay full time was not going to be easy and I still felt like I had to keep my regular job but seeing him as an example, it was easy for me to follow my dreams. His brand The Elephant Tribe is also a blend of his culture as well as streetwear and psychedelic.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.namaslay.co
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/namaslaycollective
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