The awesome Afghan who has found refuge in art

Fatimah Farhad was all but 10 when she escaped Afghanistan to India. With creativity forbidden back home, Farhad found a new one here and do what she loves doing the most: art. A chance meeting of her father with Nishant Singhal, the founder of Rey&I set the tone for the two to join hands for a swimwear collection, inspired by the rich heritage of Afghanistan. Through her work, she aims to give a voice to refugees who can now make their mark with their marvelous creations. Very much like her. 

Bazaar India speaks to Nishant Singhal, the founder of Rey&I and Farhad about their collaboration, the approach that she took to design the collection, her life as a refugee and much more. 

Harper’s Bazaar: Nishant, tell us about your brand...

Nishant Singhal: Rey&I is a men’s swimwear brand, leading up to resort wear. The idea is to make men feel comfortable so they do not have to compromise with high street swimwear brands. I wanted to bring something unique to the table...Rey&I fills a niche between fast fashion and high-end swimwear brands—hitting a sweet spot in terms of pricing.

HB: Fatimah, tell us how your journey with Rey&I began...What approach did you take while designing this swimwear collection?

Fatimah Farhad: Nishant (Singhal), the founder of Rey&I, was working with my father (Akbar Farhad) when he visited us at our home in India. He appreciated the symmetry and intricacy of my artwork and commissioned four paintings. I recall contemplating whether this project would be completed in time, but I managed to finish the designs in just a month! I wanted all my designs to be distinctive... My approach towards fabricating this swimwear collection was driven by the desire to take forward my father’s art legacy—and to share our story through a unique medium.

HB: Tell us the story behind the Plaj collection...

FF: Plaj is inspired by the rich heritage of Afghanistan and comprises four colourful prints that evoke the intricacy of luxurious Afghan carpets. The prints in this collection speak the language of creativity, expression, and celebration...which are forbidden in Afghanistan. In a country where women have little to no freedom, I am proud to have made such designs. This project gives a voice to refugees, painting them as individuals and professionals who are known for their talent and potential. My father has 45 years of experience in water painting and wood burning, and is my sole inspiration for this collection.

HB: Tell us about your life as a refugee...

FF: I was all of 10-years-old when I escaped to India... You have to leave behind all certainties and comfort; your home, job, family and friends. It’s like restarting your life from scratch and entering a new Universe. In Afghanistan, creativity is considered to be haram (forbidden), and my father was forced to terminate his passion. Thankfully, rebuilding my life in India was not as hard, because I had my family beside me—and the pleasure to work on what I enjoyed most: art.

HB: What is the significance of artistic expression in your life?

FF: Artistic expression allowed me to become a voice for other refugees who have the potential and refused to be stifled. Art and miniatures are the love of my life; I cannot think about living without them...it’s extremely important to me.

HB: Nishant, tell us about your special collaboration with Fatimah...

NS: I was blown away by her Fatimah’s work... The intricate designs she creates are spellbinding. Bringing together like-minded people from different backgrounds to create something unique is what the power of collaboration is all about. The idea is to find promising emerging artists who wouldn’t otherwise have a platform to showcase their talent and works.

HB: Tell us about the techniques Rey&I employ to create more sustainable products...

NS: There is plenty of plastic and garbage floating around in the Pacific Ocean—which makes its way to the Yamuna River. Witnessing this ecological deterioration is that got the ball rolling, as I decided to repurpose and re-use plastic in my brand. In addition, the fish nets found in the ocean contain adequate amounts of nylon, which we repurposed to make synthetic material. To walk you through the process...the waste is melted down and the nylon is fished out and made into small pellets.  Then, it is spun into a yarn and the yarn becomes a fabric. We ensure that the manufacturing is done in an ethical and sustainable manner.