We recently connected with Ipsita Govender and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ipsita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
Yes and no. I initially started studying Architecture, but as cliché as it sounds I had just gone through a bad break-up and I wasn’t in the right headspace to focus on what I wanted. Initially, the plan was that if I didn’t like Architecture I would move to NYC to study Fashion. Unfortunately, I went on a runabout way to come back to what I wanted to do after studying for two degrees. When I moved here, I felt that being here was the right choice and that it made me regret how long it took me to get here, especially interning with younger interns. However, looking back at times I can also think that at 26 I took my degree a lot more seriously than I did at 19, granted I was a lot more passionate about Fashion. As much as there is a stigma around studying Fashion, especially in South Africa, it is probably one of the most challenging degrees. You have to want to be there to be able to succeed and to be able to give it your all. I know that even with hindsight lurking, studying later definitely allowed me to completely immerse myself in this and gave me the chance I always wanted. As my mom says, it was a full circle moment for me to come back to what I originally wanted, and even though comparing my career to my friends who I initially started studying with is difficult, I’m happier that I was able to allow myself the chance to see this through.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Born and raised in South Africa, I grew up in Durban and studied in Cape Town. I started my studies in Architecture as it was what my mom thought I’d be good at – a combination of art and math. However, I knew that even though I loved buildings, my heart was elsewhere. I was not in a good space in my first year and decided to transfer to Media and Writing as I always enjoyed writing and it was one of the very few programs I could transfer to mid-year. I decided to finish the degree where I majored in both Media and Writing and Interactive Media. I knew that I wanted to study further and that too overseas and since in South Africa our undergraduate degrees don’t include Honours I went to a Fashion School in Cape Town to complete a one-year Honours program in Fashion. It was there through the tedious modules, that I came to understand that I wanted to be in design and missed working creatively and with my hands. I finished my degree and interned at Cosmopolitan South Africa as a Fashion Intern before heading back home to Durban to work on portfolios and applications overseas. I decided to go to Parsons as I wanted to understand the construction of garments and the fundamentals of Fashion Design. I have since interned for various brands such as Danielle Frankel, Marchesa, and Bach Mai.
It has been through the chaos of these years that I’ve found I have a voice in my designs. My designs focus on textile creations that differ from other designers and bring a very personal element to my collections. Growing up my mom who is a doctor also had an interior business on the side where she would travel to India to buy various fabrics and pieces for her business. My brother and I would put up a fuss as we were lugged around these suppliers with my mom during the summer in India, but little did I know that this exposure would be an important factor for my future. This was my first introduction to textiles so much so, that I learned the difference between organza and organdy before I knew my times-tables. I have been brought up to appreciate the handwork in various aspects of Design and have focussed this in my garments as it holds a close to my heart. While I find beauty in the simplicity of silhouettes, my creativity is brought through my textile creations. I think there’s something beautiful in looking at a garment/object/artwork and questioning what is in front of you. By being overstimulated by commercial fashion today, there is a need for designers to push their consumers to interact with their pieces and I feel that my pieces do that.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In 2019, I made the decision to enroll in an Honours degree in Fashion, setting my sights on pursuing further studies at Fashion schools abroad. Little did I know that the path ahead would be filled with unexpected challenges and disappointments. The program focused heavily on writing essays on modules we had covered and expressing them in group settings with was very different to my undergraduate degree. It left me feeling out of place and overwhelmed. Despite my confidence in my writing abilities, honed through previous academic success in a writing degree, my lecturers’ lack of recognition and constructive feedback dealt a heavy blow to my self-assurance and sense of worth. The transition from a globally renowned university to a private institution only intensified these feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, as the demanding environment and lofty expectations took a toll on my mental and physical well-being. Towards the end of the program, I was needing a recommendation letter to pursue further studies, I found myself in a disheartening situation. The meeting with multiple lecturers felt like a daunting interrogation, which made me doubt my dreams and ambitions. However, rather than caving in to their negativity, I used this experience as fuel to push me forward. With determination and a point to prove, I applied to various Fashion schools and was accepted by many and with scholarships, despite the lecturers disbeliefs. This journey showed me the influence that educators can have over their students’ paths, underscoring the important role they play in shaping futures. It was a realization that could have easily steered me away from my passion for Fashion, changing the course of my life. Looking back on this transformative experience, I have gained a newfound sense of confidence in my creative voice and work. It reminds me of the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, and the belief in one’s own potential to overcome obstacles and work towards their success.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Growing up in Durban, South Africa, I was surrounded by a family of doctors and friends pursuing more traditional career paths. Despite my desire for alternative careers, expressing this aspiration was challenging in a society deeply rooted in conservative and traditional values. Within South Africa, the pursuit of a creative career was met with its own set of obstacles, but seeking opportunities beyond the country’s borders proved to be an even greater challenge for others to understand.
Creativity, often perceived as a luxury rather than a necessity, added to the struggle of being accepted and supported in my chosen path. In a society where life is often viewed as a series of predetermined milestones, following a corporate trajectory may promise success, but for individuals like me in creative fields, constant testing and challenges are part of the journey.
Non-creatives may struggle to understand the patience required in our line of work. While professions in tech, medicine, or finance offer more immediate rewards for hard work, creatives often face prolonged periods of unpaid internships, rejections based on subjective aesthetics, and a feeling of disposability. Our true sense of fulfillment and recognition often only materializes at the culmination of our careers, highlighting the unique challenges and delayed gratification that come with pursuing a creative path.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ipsitakavya.com
- Instagram: @ipsitakavya
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipsita-govender-1b69b4161/
Image Credits
Photographer: Natalie Czyzyk MUA: Ava Amerian Models: Tevan Rock, Bri Walters