Lavina Peswani: cultural unity and female empowerment through fashion

Lavina Peswani’s journey into the fashion world started when she was just 10 years old, scribbling sketches onto scraps of paper. Little did she know at the time but this was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with fashion, textiles and visual storytelling. Fast forward a number of years and she now has two degrees and years of industry experience behind her.
Today, her intricately drawn, iconic prints adorn her international collections and are a testament to her sharp eye for detail, her tireless creativity and her desire for self-expression.

Indian roots, Canarian raised and British educated

Born and raised in Gran Canaria, Lavina grew up in a culturally rich environment with influences from Canarian and Indian traditions inspiring her artistic vision. This hybrid of identity forms, just like fragments from one of her digital print collages into a multilayered vision that influences Lavina’s outlook on life and art. Inspired by the idea to turn her ideas into working designs, she embarked on a life-changing journey to the UK where she graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Textile Design from the University of the West of England (UWE). Inspired to find the best experience as a textile designer and hungry to learn more, she enrolled in a Printed Textile Design masters degree at the Royal College of Art during which time she honed her artistic style. Her time in the UK transformed her creative process, elaborating it further than simply producing aesthetic designs but ensuring that each one told a meaningful and profound story.  

The creation of Lavina Peswani, the label

Textile design is Lavina’s first love, but fashion became her canvas to share her vibrant vision. Inspired by her father’s impeccable style, Lavina’s creations are a tribute to quality, timeless fashion. After working with big names like Adolfo Domínguez, she launched her self-titled  label in 2015. Each collection is a personal journey, exploring identity and unity, and celebrating the empowering stories of women from diverse cultures. Her designs are deeply personal, guiding her out of her comfort zone while still firmly aligned with her beliefs and values. 

My Hybrid Nature, New Wings and Fly Away 

Lavina Peswani’s collections bring a fresh burst of energy to Spanish fashion. "My Hybrid Nature" draws inspiration from nature’s resilience, connecting every living being with each print. "New Wings", a tribute to bravery and strength,honours women who’ve survived abuse, celebrating their courage and independence. Though life may have clipped their wings, they find a way to grow "new wings" of their own. "Fly Away" continues this journey, symbolising the freedom to soar above life's challenges.

A search for storytelling 

Lavina Peswani is not about fast fashion, instead opting for a sustainable approach that places its focus on artistic expression and emotional depth. Small-scale production, seasonless collections, natural materials and an artisan approach to design ensure that growth is steady and manageable while having a minimal impact on the Earth’s resources.  Each hand-drawn print design turns her brand into a visual journal. When designing a collection, the scarves are always the first designs to be created. A complete square design is brought to life in sketches and brushstrokes before being digitally scanned and adapted to create the final product. The repeat patterns that adorn the garments are then created on a motif basis and then tiled and manipulated digitally to fit each item of clothing that makes up the collection. 

Stand-out pieces to add to your wardrobe

Are you looking to add a dash of colour to your fashion collection but don’t know where to start? Investing in a Lavina Peswani scarf offers the freedom to experiment with exotic patterns and bold colourways. Alternatively, for those looking for a more daring look, the Fly Away dress in its multiple colour combinations is a mood-boosting choice for women on the go. With its smart, feminine, atemporal design, this garment is a wardrobe staple that can be worn regardless of the season. Lavina Peswani's collections are not just about clothing; they embrace confidence and celebrate individuality.