Neel Ranaut, hailing from Tripura, India, crafts clothing from leaves and flowers. Recognized by designers Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla, his work is an artistic expression of his identity and profound connection with nature.
I got the opportunity to take a written interview with Neel Ranaut who is the new Instagram fashion fascination. You may recognize him from his Instagram reels, where he displays his beautiful creations. He uses nature as his main format of creative communication. By being transparent, he opened up to me about himself and his visionary beliefs.
India-France
September
Instagram DMS
NR: Neel Ranaut
AD: Alisa Dylevy
AD: Tell a little bit about yourself, what’s your background?
NR: My name is Sarbajit Sarkar (Neel Ranaut) I come from India’s small state (Tripura) North East. My father is a farmer. Mother housewife. I have my lovely grandmother who always supports me. I’m a graduate. But don’t like studying that much. So I make outfits with leaves & flowers. I love Indian actress Kangana Ranaut. She is also from a small state.
AD: What happened when you started making clothing out of plants?
NR: I always wanted to be famous. I don’t like studying. I always wanted to do different from other village kids. They are just doing a study and then a job. But I wanted different. Firstly I really don’t know that I like fashion. I am just randomly making outfits. I have no money. So I find flower leaves in my village with free & new styles. So I make it. One day Indian big designers Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla praised my work through social media. After that, I took it seriously.
AD: Do you have any inspiration behind your creations?
NR: Inspiration from nature. I want to be a big village model. I love Bella Hadid so much. But in India, it’s impossible I know. In India, they only give work for nepotism. For us, it’s too tough to catch something. That’s why I make my own struggle. India is full of nepotism. I only believe in God. That one day someone from out of India saw my work & gave me a modeling job. In India, only Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla designers helped me.
AD: Share your process on how you make a garment out of plants.
NR: For me it’s simple but it’s difficult. I never thought that I would make this outfit that way. I just make it instantly. I love nature. When I see some leaves or flowers my mind reminds me. I just make it. My grandmother, my friend, my mom, my sister everyone helps me. It’s tough to collect it & make it quickly. Because after some time they will die. So make it quickly when it’s fresh.
AD: Does the material ( plants) you use personally represent you or who you are?
NR: Yes, nature represents me. I represent nature. Now everyone knows that nature outfit. It’s definitely Neel.
AD: How does the culture you’re from (country) influence you creatively?
NR: I’m Bengali. My culture is to respect everyone & I belong to a really poor family. So if I want to eat pizza it’s also not possible for me. I’m happy with my homemade fish curry.
AD: Do you have any ambitions ever to showcase your clothing in Paris?
NR: Of course, if it is possible. I want to represent nature all over the world. I also modeled in that show. It’s a dream. But I feel one day definitely will happen.
AD: In your opinion, what is the relationship between fashion and nature?
NR: Fashion I think it’s all about creativity. Or depends on person to person. Fashion is confidence whichever you wear. No matter its price. Or nature is the best fashion for me. I find everywhere in nature is a new creative fashion
AD: What’s next for you? What are your future plans for fashion?
NR: I want to be a big famous model in India. Like Bella Hadid. Because in India models are just backstage performances. Here’s is only nepotism. Only big actresses are the show stopper. There’s is no possibility for a big name in modeling. But I want to be a big model. Own my creative outfits. Want to walk with Bella and Gigi. In Paris Fashion Week.
AD: You seem very confident in your photos and video, what gives you that confidence?
NR: My confidence is my God. In our Indian culture Mahabharat. God Krishna said you just do your work. If it’s good not harmful for others. It will pay one day.
