Ashish had his first encounter with vitiligo in 2011. Unlike many vitiligo fighters, it wasn’t something unfamiliar for him. He shares, “As my mother also has vitiligo; I was familiar with living with white patches. I did not see it as something unusual. However, my family was a little worried about it as they assumed that vitiligo might affect my career prospects negatively.”
The low awareness of vitiligo can often result in strange stares and awkward comments. Ashish too often faces some bizarre questions. He usually meets people who recommend him to see a doctor, assuming having it spread over his face would be bad for his career. But, Ashish says his passion of making Khadi Fashion reach global markets inspires him to keep all vitiligo worries at bay and move ahead in his career.
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Ashish likes to incorporate new ideas and experiments with his designs. His focus has always been Khadi (hand-woven natural fiber cloth from India). Taking inspiration from the indigenous art of Jharkhand and its cultural identity, his designs always carry the touch of his homeland. “There is certain uniqueness in local people, their livelihood and lifestyle of Jharkhand. Their wall art is something I feel is the true essence of the place. I incorporate these designs into my work and intend to make it popular through my designs,” Ashish shares more details.
Ashish feels the representation of vitiligo in popular culture is getting better with each passing day. He has accepted his vitiligo beautifully as he considers it as a work of art. “Our body is like white canvas and god keeps painting different colors on it. Now, just a few colors are going out from the canvas,” that’s indeed a beautiful analogy.
Ashish feels one should undergo a vitiligo treatment only when there is 100% assurity of a positive result, else, it becomes one’s waste of energy and time. When we asked Ashish if he had a message to share with fellow vitiligo fighters, he made a direct, yet wise suggestion, “If you have vitiligo, accept it and move forward in your life. It cannot hold you back.”
Ashish is a Fashion Design graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology. His passion for Khadi got built upright during his college days, which only grew stronger with time and eventually evolved to be his second skin. He has been honored with some precious Fashion Awards in India, including DLF Emporio Design Award (2015), Vogue Honours’ Design Award (2014), Gujarat Khadi Board Apparel Design Award (2014) and Tassel Fashion and Lifestyle Awards (2018). We wish him all the best for future!
