After hours with Rizwan Beyg
The superlative designer reflects on fashion and the small pleasures of life
It has been two decades since the brilliant and flamboyant designer, Rizwan Beyg, took the fashion world by storm with his timeless yet bold, classic yet alluring creations. There have been other successful fashion stories but never has anyone of Beyg’s stature crossed over. Rizwan rose to stardom by reinventing classic designs and giving them a modern twist. The superlative designer reflects on fashion and the small pleasures of life
What is your idea of style?
Style is about being comfortable in your own skin and not caring about trends or blindly following fashion. It’s more about knowing who you are and maintaining your sense of individuality. It’s best summed up in this quote “you laugh at me ‘cos Im different and I smile at you cos you’re all the same”. You can buy fashion, style you have to possess innately.
What turns you on creatively?
Everything!
Do you consider fashion to be a language?
More a philosophy than a language.
What are the three signs of beauty for you in a woman?
Confidence, grooming and individuality.
What are the few childhood memories that shaped you?
My exposure to travel, books and cinema, the things that opened my mind to possibilities and creativity.
Are you ever jealous of another designer’s success?
No, everyone has to shine in their own light.
Have you failed at anything?
Yes...Failure teaches you a lot more than success. It’s my mantra now.
What do you fear?
Mediocrity ...it’s better to be bad or good at something rather than mediocre.
Your favourite sound?
The sound of rain, a baby breathing, a cat purring. There are so many sounds to love.
A word you use the most?
The f word and it’s called ‘Fashion’.
The first time you went to a party?
I never go to parties.
Three things no one knows about you?
I prefer that they remain unknown...mystery is very important if you want to be remembered.
Your three hidden talents?
Don’t know if they are hidden but I am a trained classical musician, I am a gifted chef and I am also a great psychotherapist.
What is your idea of style?
Style is about being comfortable in your own skin and not caring about trends or blindly following fashion. It’s more about knowing who you are and maintaining your sense of individuality. It’s best summed up in this quote “you laugh at me ‘cos Im different and I smile at you cos you’re all the same”. You can buy fashion, style you have to possess innately.
What turns you on creatively?
Everything!
Do you consider fashion to be a language?
More a philosophy than a language.
What are the three signs of beauty for you in a woman?
Confidence, grooming and individuality.
What are the few childhood memories that shaped you?
My exposure to travel, books and cinema, the things that opened my mind to possibilities and creativity.
Are you ever jealous of another designer’s success?
No, everyone has to shine in their own light.
Have you failed at anything?
Yes...Failure teaches you a lot more than success. It’s my mantra now.
What do you fear?
Mediocrity ...it’s better to be bad or good at something rather than mediocre.
Your favourite sound?
The sound of rain, a baby breathing, a cat purring. There are so many sounds to love.
A word you use the most?
The f word and it’s called ‘Fashion’.
The first time you went to a party?
I never go to parties.
Three things no one knows about you?
I prefer that they remain unknown...mystery is very important if you want to be remembered.
Your three hidden talents?
Don’t know if they are hidden but I am a trained classical musician, I am a gifted chef and I am also a great psychotherapist.