Vino Supraja
Vino Supraja (1st June 1979) is an Indian fashion designer,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> architect, speaker, author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of the Vino Supraja brand, an online premium womenswear fashion brand based in India that focuses on sustainability and ethics. She is best known for her PATANG, Art Deco,Buoyancy, W, and Kaleidoscope collections that have gained recognition in the global market.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
Supraja launch her debut book – What is Sustainable Fashion? An Antidote to Fashion Pollution.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> She is a highly acclaimed designer whose designs have been featured on the runway at New York, Brooklyn, and Shanghai Fashion Week, garnering positive feedback from both the public and the press. Her designs are a reflection of her influence from architecture, literature, history and culture, and even current events.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
Supraja is widely recognized for her clothing line and has received multiple awards along with getting featured in several media outlets including VOGUE, China, Detroit Free Press, NBC Channel 4, The Hindu,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref> Gulf News,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref> Khaleej Times,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref> Dia Dubai, IFA Paris,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref> and others.
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Supraja was born and raised in Vandavasi, South India.
In 1996, Supraja enrolled in the SRM School of Architecture, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Soon after her graduation, Supraja went to Pentamedia LTD. to do a course in digital animation and interactive technology.
In 2011, Supraja moved to Shanghai along with her husband due to his job.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> During this transition, Surpaja was unable to continue her career as a media personality and then decided to acquire knowledge in the creative industry. She enrolled in a premium French fashion school - IFA Paris. She acquired a bachelor of fashion design and technology degree in 2014 from this institute. PATANG, her graduation collection, was featured at Shanghai Fashion Week in October 2014 and garnered a great reception.
Later in 2018, Supraja went to ESMOD,French Fashion Institute Dubai, where she did a postgraduate diploma in fashion marketing.
Career[edit | edit source]
Supraja started her career in 2003 as an architect. In 2007, she auditioned for a job as a radio jockey and was hired as the breakfast RJ of Radio One FM in Chennai. She worked for over a year at this network, during which she also served as an onscreen presenter at Jaya Tv Network and hosted live shows like Dial Jayatv and Stars Ungaludan.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
In 2009 Supraja joined Hello FM, where she stayed for almost two years, simultaneously serving as the Assistant Director at Drizzle Productions. She starred in the radio sitcom "Anjali Apartments" on Hello FM in Chennai as one of the main characters.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
In 2015, Supraja launched her unique fashion brand - Vino Supraja, known for incorporating Sustainable and Ethical designs.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref> Supaja feels that fashion is a form of expression and art that can be worn.
Vino Supraja was established to uplift and empower a community of heritage weavers from a village in South India by facilitating a healthy workspace and offering fair wages. Her label, since its inception, has gained recognition for colors and textile prints. The highlighting feature of Supraja’s brand is that the fabrics are likewise hand-loomed, dyed with AZO-free dyes, and are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. As of 2021, she serves as the creative director of the firm, prior to which held the position of a fashion designer.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref>
In 2018, Supraja’s collection Rise got featured in the New York Fashion Week. In 2019, soon after she graduated from ESMOD, Supraja got the opportunity to do a four-month internship at Dolce & Gabbana. She has launched “Be the Change with Vino”, her own podcast which is accessible on all major podcast streaming platforms.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref>
Throughout her career, Supraja has gained recognition for her eco-friendly design process and sustainable collections that are available worldwide through the official website and authorized stockists. She has been speaking to a large number of students,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> professionals, and individuals from many walks of life on a regular basis, increasing awareness about sustainable fashion.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref>
In 2022, Supraja has published her first book, entitled What Is Sustainable Fashion? An Antidote to Fashion Pollution,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> in her hometown of Chennai on Saturday, August 27 at The Luz House, Mylapore. The book event also marks the debut of Vino's newest collection, Purisai,<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> which was inspired by the historic Tamil street theatre form Therukoothu.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref><ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
The book event also witnessed the debut of Vino’s newest collection - Purisai, inspired by the traditional Tamil street theatrical art form of Therukoothu. Elaborating on her inspiration for this collection, Vino explains, “Growing up, I lived about 10km away from Purisai village where the traditional art of Therukoothu continues to this day. My current collection is derived by my vivid memories of the painted faces of the artists, the broad stripes on their voluminous skirts, the crown, the décor and the various legendary creatures they brought to life with each performance. This is the art form of my home, and this collection is my gratitude to the art of Therukoothu, for making my childhood colourful”.
The famous Bangladeshi model and UNESCO artist for peace Bibi Russell wrote the book's forward, and she is also an EARTHDAY.ORG ambassador.
Vino Supraja showcased her collection Purisai, inspired by the ancient Tamil Folk Art Therukoothu in London Fashion Week in September 2023, showcasing a performance of Therukoothu in the global ramp.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref> This collection and performance got featured in Harpers Bazaar and ELLE, UK.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
Vino Supraja has been featured in the DW History and Culture Documentary ‘How Indian Fashion Inspires the World’ alongside India’s most esteemed brands.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:|}}</ref>
Awards and Recognitions[edit | edit source]
- 2014- Graduation collection PATANG, walked the ramp in Shanghai Fashion Week –
- Golden Laureate Award, IFA Paris
- 2014- Finalist in the ‘China International Fashion Designers Creation Contest’
- Collection was appreciated by Chinese media, including VOGUE China
- Her collections W and Kaleidoscope were critically acclaimed in the United States and were featured on NBC Channel 4 and published in the Detroit Free Press.<ref>Template:Citation core{{#if:17 June 2021|}}</ref>
- 2016- She presented her collection Buoyancy, inspired by the Chennai Floods, at the 10th anniversary of Brooklyn Fashion Week. The collection was received with a standing ovation
- 2018- She presented her collection Rise, at New York Fashion Week
- She has won first place in Sustainable Fashion Runway Competition conducted by Fashion Revolution, UAE chapter and got an opportunity to intern with Dolce and Gabbana, Dubai
In the media[edit | edit source]
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