We were lucky to catch up with Tanisha Nevrekar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tanisha , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I’ve always known I wanted to create garments not just clothes, but pieces that speak, that feel like they hold emotion and history. Even as a kid, I’d be sketching outfits in the margins of my notebooks or draping fabric over anything that resembled a mannequin. So when it came time to finally put together my first collection, I knew it had to mean something. It would be wrong to say my most meaningful project was anything other than Rhapsody of Resilience because that’s where it all started, both creatively and personally.
At the time, I was stepping into a space of confidence and clarity learning to embrace everything that made me “me”. There was a lightness in letting go of perfection and instead choosing to celebrate individuality. That energy became the heartbeat of the collection. Rhapsody of Resilience was about joy, authenticity, and the quiet strength that comes from simply owning your story. I wanted every piece to feel like a reminder that beauty doesn’t have to shout sometimes it just has to be honest.
Each design carried its own rhythm textured layers, playful imperfections, unexpected details all coming together to create something real. The name itself felt like a celebration: a little dramatic, a little poetic, and full of heart. Looking back, I’m proud not just of the clothes I created, but of the spirit behind them. Looking back, I’m proud not just of the clothes I created, but of the spirit behind them. That collection felt like the first time I quietly said, “this is me,” and it still feels like a love letter to anyone finding joy in who they are.
Tanisha , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by couture the intricacy, the storytelling, the emotion stitched into every detail. There’s something magical about the world of couture to me: it’s slow, intentional, and deeply expressive. This fascination led me to pursue fashion as a serious path, and choosing Paris as the city to complete my education felt like a natural next step. The city is the heartbeat of fashion, and studying at Istituto Marangoni has allowed me to grow, explore, and start refining my vision. I’ll be entering my final year soon, and it’s been exciting (and a little surreal) to reflect on how far I’ve come in such a short time.
A big part of my creative process takes place on Instagram. It’s become an evolving moodboard where I share my thoughts, sketches, work-in-progress pieces, and the little moments that inspire me. I’ve always enjoyed capturing visuals, and over time, it’s become a way for me to document my design journey. I don’t view Instagram as a curated platform, but more as a digital diary a space where my collections take shape, where I share the behind-the-scenes process, and where I connect with people who appreciate the art of fashion. I remember when I volunteered at Milan Fashion Week as an intern and started sharing those experiences the response was unexpectedly warm. Since then, my Instagram has grown in a way I didn’t anticipate, but what truly means the most are the messages I receive about my collections or garments. It’s a reminder that my work is reaching people, even if just a little bit, and that keeps me motivated to keep pushing forward.
What excites me most is creating stories through fashion collections that speak to identity, heritage, and transformation. Being in Paris, I feel this deep drive to merge two worlds: to honor Indian artisanship and textiles, while weaving them into the structure of modern Parisian couture. I want to create garments that are both nostalgic and futuristic, pieces that stir something deep in people. For me, couture isn’t just about design it’s about telling a story so personal and profound that it resonates universally. My work is still evolving, but my aim is to celebrate Indian craftsmanship through the lens of Parisian couture, bringing together both cultures in a way that feels new, meaningful, and timeless.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
As a creative, especially one who is blending two distinct worlds like Parisian couture and Indian craftsmanship, there are moments in my journey that might be challenging for non-creatives to fully understand. The process of melding two such rich, contrasting traditions one steeped in modern luxury and the other rooted in centuries of intricate, hand-crafted techniques isn’t always seamless. It’s not just about designing it’s about carrying the weight of those cultures with respect, while pushing them into new realms. There’s a lot of thought, patience, and vulnerability that goes into every piece, and sometimes, that can feel invisible to those who are not immersed in the creative process.
What I hope people come to understand is that the journey of a designer isn’t linear or predictable. There are countless late nights, moments of self-doubt, and the constant balancing act of staying true to your vision while adapting to the pressures of the industry. For me, my mission is clear I want to make an impact in Paris couture, but I want to do so by heavily embracing Indian craftsmanship. It’s about creating a bridge blending the contemporary elegance of Paris with the deep, rich history of India. And that means a lot of trial and error, learning, and even failure along the way. But it’s all part of a larger dream of creating a meaningful narrative through fashion. It’s not just about clothes; it’s about creating something that tells a story and brings two beautiful worlds together in a way that’s both timeless and forward thinking.
To anyone struggling to understand the complexities of the creative journey, my advice would be: embrace the process. The path may not always be easy, but it’s in the layers of learning and the moments of challenge that you find your true voice. For me, this journey is about making an impact a thoughtful, lasting one that celebrates both the past and the future. And while I still have a long way to go, every step, no matter how uncertain, brings me closer to that vision.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that creativity and speed couldn’t coexist. Early on, I thought that being a true designer meant taking my time, carefully perfecting every detail, and working at a slower pace to achieve something meaningful. But in the world of couture, especially when creating collections and responding to trends, I quickly realized that creativity needs to move at the speed of the industry. Innovation can’t wait for perfection it has to happen quickly and in real time.
The shift came when I started pushing myself to generate ideas rapidly, while still maintaining high standards of craftsmanship. I learned that creativity isn’t a slow, deliberate process but often a spark that demands action. The more I practiced working quickly without sacrificing the essence of the design, the more I saw my ideas come to life in exciting ways. It’s about embracing the flow of inspiration and trusting my instincts, while also making sure I stay on top of the fast pace of the fashion world. The pressure of deadlines and the need to continually come up with new concepts forced me to find a rhythm where speed and precision could coexist, rather than seeing them as opposing forces.
Unlearning the idea that I had to take my time has allowed me to approach my work with a balance staying creative, fresh, and open to new ideas, but also developing the discipline to work efficiently and consistently. In couture, there’s no room for hesitation; you have to keep moving forward, refining ideas as you go. Now, I embrace the challenge of creating quickly and with intention, knowing that innovation thrives when you’re able to keep up with the flow of your own ideas.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tanisha.nevrekar
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanisha-nevrekar-8ba206344?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
