RIKA GUNAWAN, REPUBLIC OF PIGTAILS
Jul
22
YOU STARTED OUT AS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DESIGN HAIR ACCESSORIES SPECIFICALLY AND HAVE YOU FOUND ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN DESIGNING INTERIORS AND ACCESSORIES?
I suppose my daughter, Nadia’s hair was the biggest inspiration in the beginning. And yes, I think there is a strong connection. Design is design, no matter what is being created. And it has always come as second nature to me. Design is not work…it’s fun!
YOU DESIGN FOR BOTH WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND OFTEN USE RECYCLED OR SALVAGED MATERIALS. DO YOU CREATE DESIGNS FOR PARTICULAR FOUND MATERIALS OR DO YOU DESIGN FIRST AND LATER IDENTIFY THE MATERIALS?
I work both ways. It all depends on the circumstances. Sometimes, I have the design ready and am just waiting for the perfect textiles or hardware to create it. Sometimes, I find materials that inspire me first, and then I figure out exactly what to do with them.
YOUR WOMEN’S LINE WAS RECENTLY PICKED UP BY HENRI BENDEL. CONGRATULATIONS! WHAT’S NEXT?
Thank you! Working with Henri Bendel has been such an amazing experience for our brand, and we hope this is just the beginning! Even though all our items are available for purchase online at our website, we are also working hard to get our pieces in more retail locations…so keep your fingers crossed for us.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Having my daughter tell me how much she loves me is the best feeling (particularly when I’m feeling stressed out!). It’s a beautiful reminder that everything is going to be just fine, no matter how hectic my day was. That is my joy.
COMB OR BRUSH?
Brush, because I always wanted to have curly hair!
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
I do now. It’s short and simple. I didn’t always, though. When I was younger, I wanted to have a long, beautiful named like Cinderella or Aurora. Now my daughter wishes that she had a name like that too. It runs in the family I guess…
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
Only a number. It’s all in your style and spirit.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
mmm…my favorite comfort food — rice, eggs and soy sauce.