Dhruv Kapur, photo by Rishabh Kumar

His aesthetic is simple – modern, clean lines in luxurious materials. But this new-designer-on-the-block didn’t start out as a fashion student. His path has been a little more unusual; armed with a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE) – Dhruv Kapur returned to India, launching DRVV (spoken DRUV) in 2012. He has since showcased on several ramps, with Vogue India adding him to their 5 new designers’ to watch list after Lakme Fashion Week Mumbai in March.

Kapur’s foray into pattern-cutting has been without formal training, and he does say it is becoming increasingly tough to break into the world of fashion without a degree in the relevant subject – so with our trademark 9 Questions, braingainmag.com asked him, why Economics?

1. What prompted you to study Economics at LSE?
   
   I wanted to learn the ropes of running a business - financing, management, etc. Instead of those subjects I chose economics as more theoretical, mathematical – and it has applications in various parts of life due to the philosophers one studies. I felt design came to me inherently, but worldly pursuits don't.


2. How has your degree helped in your current pursuits?
   
   

   Dhruv Kapur, photo by Rishabh Kumar

   As planned, I find it easier to understand and apply what I learnt in running a business. Furthermore, economics helps in understanding everything that goes on in the world.


3. What do you think is the biggest lesson you learned from studying abroad?
   
   Studies anywhere are studies at the end of the day. But i feel that the experience of studying with a cosmopolitan peer group that comes from as many as 180 countries and living in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world is what sets the LSE experience apart from other universities.


4. Favourite class in school?
   
   Mathematics


5. Did you always plan to get involved in the fashion industry?
   
   Yes - I wanted to be part of the fashion industry since my early teens. That's why I first started gathering work experience in the industry before even thinking of where I'd like to go for undergraduate studies.


6. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
   
   

   DRVV Studio, photo by Rishabh Kumar

   I draw inspiration from my life, my thoughts, my feelings and most importantly from my philosophical convictions.


7. Something really crazy you’ve learned along the way?
   
   I'm able to rationalise just about everything. In this day and age, with all the 'crazy' stuff around us, somehow things have ceased to surprise me.


8. What advice would you give a student planning to follow a similar path?
   I don't think two people can ever follow the same path. As individuals, our desires and needs vary and so must our path. My one advice to every young person out there is to never track of what your heart tells you to do. If something makes you happy, do it. Happiness is the only thing that matters - so much so that it will make you excel in your work.


9. That one thing you won’t leave India without?
   
   There really isn't anything that you can't get anywhere in the world. But what I don't leave without is a hug and kiss goodbye from my family.

DRVV Founder & Fashion Designer Dhruv Kapur

You can learn more about DRVV at drvv.in

Tags: DRVV, Dhruv Kapur, LSE, Economics