#HomeDiaries: A peak into a leading fashion designer's abode

Arpita Mehta’s journey as a designer began in 2013, and she quickly gained recognition for her minimalist and fashion-forward fare. “I have always enjoyed dressing up. I remember my mom and aunt used to make us wear these beautiful, soft organza lehenga sets...that’s my earliest memory of falling in love with fluid drapes,” Arpita tells us. “As I grew older, getting my hands on international magazines and observing the clothes, styling, and play of colour on supermodels brought me immense joy,” she adds.

In 2006, on graduating with a degree in fashion from Mumbai, Arpita decided to forgo a master’s degree, and instead launched her eponymous label. “It took me over two years to put together a team. I grew organically, retailing through word of mouth. However, I felt my pieces lacked individuality. And then, in 2013, I had an epiphany: I revisited my days as a design student and came up with the idea of using mirror work. At that time, it was a unique thought, and no one was using this craft in a minimalist, modern way,” she reminisces.

A tour of Arpita’s Mumbai home, where she lived with her parents before her marriage with Kunal Rawal, shows  aesthetics that are perfectly in sync with her design sensibilities. “My parents are very simple, homely people, so we decided to keep the interiors balanced. The aesthetic of the house is easy and practical, with a lot of clean lines and artefacts that reflect the tastes of each family member,” she says. “We wanted our home to feel like a home, and not an art gallery.”

For her own room, which she considers her sanctuary, Arpita chose a palette of fresh, blue tones. “I find this shade of blue extremely calming. The furniture is modern and just like the clothes I design—minimal with a lot of attention to detail,” she shares.

There is also a terrace in the apartment, along with a room attached to it, which she likes to call “the chill room." She reveals, “These are my favourite spots in the house. In fact, going to the terrace is part of my morning ritual. It’s filled with plants and flowers, especially since my dad loves gardening.

My parents and I love flowers, and we always have a fresh bunch at home. That is one of the reasons why I add a floral print in my collection, every season”. 

The interiors of the home are filled with crafts and memorabilia from the family’s many travels across the world. For instance, while no-one smokes in her house, Arpita likes to collect interesting ashtrays. She also has a wide range of vases—the vintage Chinese vase in her room, for instance, is from a visit to Budapest.

“My father enjoys his whiskey and entertaining at home, so he picks up unique decanters whenever we travel,” she lets in. Talking about things that she likes to collect, Arpita says she has a penchant for stationery. “I collect diaries, sketch books, and colour pencils. In fact, I love them so much, that I never use them!"