Do you feel responsibility as a designer to make your brand as inclusive and representative as possible?

I have always felt very strongly about equitable representation and inclusivity. My label has always and will always stand for this.

Fashion is a saturated industry - how do you cut through the noise?

I do what I think I am good at and I am grateful that people like it and buy it. I think what I do is quite specialised and it’s not seasonal.

Let’s talk Pride. What does Pride mean to you personally and as a designer?

Homosexuality was decriminalised by India’s Supreme Court in 2018. Prior to that, India had colonial-era laws which made sexual activities “against the order of nature” punishable by law and carried a life sentence. So I grew up in a country where it was difficult to be openly gay, and for the majority it still is a very homophobic society. The LGBTQIA+ communities still face lots of legal and social difficulties.

The first time I heard or experienced Pride was in my early twenties, after I came to England. It was amazing to see queer people occupying public spaces and celebrating loudly and openly. So for me, Pride really represents the importance of visibility and acceptance.

Designer Diaries: London designer Ashish on what Pride means to him and why inclusivity will always reign supreme