Event

Telling Authentic Stories Through His Craft

Meet Fashion Designer Bibhu Mohapatra

Fashion Designer Bibhu Mohapatra

It’s time to celebrate and the Tampa Museum of Art is continuing its centennial celebration with the 10th annual CITY. Rescheduled due to COVID-19, the new date will be Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 at Tampa Museum of Art and feature a runway show with a curated collection of 10 years of Bibhu Mohapatra.

Through a socially distanced, of course, interview with fashion designer Biphu Mophapatra, METRO had the opportunity to learn what inspires him and what every woman must have in her closet.

METRO: Why is it meaningful to create a fashion event at the Museum?

Biphu: Tampa Museum of Art is a pioneering institution that has always promoted culture and art. It provides an incredible platform for artists to connect with the audience. Besides the collections at the museum, I love the very structure of the museum and all its indoor and outdoor spaces. It is an honor for me to show my collection there.

M: Why is the relationship between art and fashion critical?

B: I believe fashion cannot exist without art. You need art to create fashion and tell the story or express a point of view. Fashion has the potential of turning in to art, if it contains that timelessness quality.

M: What inspires your designs?

B: I am inspired by people, places and my travels. I love the streets of New York City and the people I have met in my 22 years of living there. I also love to explore new places, cultures and crafts. But above all, it is the people, their heritage and their stories that drive me and inspire me. Fashion is a bi-product of my inspirational process that allows me to tell authentic stories through my craft.

M: Do you have a muse?

B: Someone who is well travelled, someone who has a passion that she lives for. She also loves beautifully crafted clothes. My muse is strong, confident and courageous. Women in my life are my muses.

M: What is your favorite fashion era? And legendary fashion icon?

B: The 1930s Europe and 17th century India; Marchesa Luisa Casati

M: One fool proof fashion item?

B: A perfect date dress! A dress that is perfectly transitional that can take you from your office to a dinner. A piece of clothing that is nicer than a day work dress, and less fancy than a full on cocktail dress.

M: What would you be, if not a designer?

B: An architect. I love designing spaces, they are like clothes, but we live in them.

10th Annual CITY: Fashion + Art + Culture Saturday, January 9, 2021 | Tampa Museum of Art For sponsorship and tickets, visit www.TampaMuseum.org.