Existing in the gap between cultures, generations, and attitudes, 25 year old Rupal Banerjee felt the calling to forge her namesake casual high fashion brand: Ru by Rupal. In what retrospectively seems like a straight shoot to stardom, Rupal’s journey towards success seemed baked in— from her south asian immigrant background to her induction into Parson’s School of Design and the quick pivot to Public Relations and Marketing, traversing the sartorial spheres of New York and Los Angeles. Despite being a practiced New York Fashion Week constituent and a 30 Under 30 Forbes member, Rupal’s lilting tonality cast an effortlessly warm spell, dispensing advice like an endlessly welcoming older sister.
Heartily established as a quintessential “cool girl” brand and adored by celebrities such as Kali Uchis, Kehlani, Tinashe, and Jordyn Woods, Rupal injects everyday streetwear and casual wear with her specific lens of feminine, commanding attitude. In between conceptualizing a brand statement and establishing the possible energies of the “Ru Girl,” Rupal recounts her year of shifts. Personal changes have a tendency to crowd around twenty-somethings, and Rupal doesn’t emerge from frontal lobe development unscathed. Her fresh experiences of growth and regrouping only become more married to the process of creation as the seasons come and go.
Rupal’s pragmatic business-aware background shines as she pushes the brand forward, showing vibrant mesh minidresses, pleated monochrome maxi gowns, plain and patterned cargo bottoms, matching bomber jackets with tie closures… the Ru-niverse has always spanned on-trend basics and culture-specific design details. In a few years, the brand aesthetic has transformed and stepped out directly into the emboldened spotlight as the brand moves through its gestational first years. Particular brand signatures include chartreuse and blood orange, long form sari pleats, floral mandala motifs, and highly saturated gradient prints. Rupal kindly opens her inner workings as founder, designer, and person; even revealing some upcoming slogan contents I’m not allowed to share. Celebrate in anticipation for the next seasons, and reminisce in wholesomeness for what has come before, with Rupal Banerjee of Ru by Rupal.
You went to Parson’s for fashion design but studied public relations and marketing. Where did you learn how to sew?
Actually it started when my father was making these hand-sewn puppets for a school project of mine— such a wonderfully creative man, though he works as an accountant. Parson’s was a lot about marketing, but everything from designing to patterning to garment construction I picked up on my own, through my internships at bigger brands and by just doing. That’s really key, just going and doing. Executing your dream with intention.
Any favorite or least favorite materials to work with?
Favorite, I’d have to say mesh. It adds such dimension; it’s so malleable and versatile in fit due to its stretch; it turns down the opacity of any loud print or color and makes it more wearable, more approachable.
What do you find special about working in fashion in LA versus in NY?
Definitely driving! Especially for days when I am running around with bolts of fabric, from vendors to meetings to another location… Nothing beats just being able to pick up and go.I’ve for sure found that in LA there can be a prominent culture of superficiality. What you see on Instagram you can also see in people here. There can be such an emphasis on perception, whether it’s femininity or success or even how perfect someone’s smile is. I’m much inclined towards a different kind of dream. I’ve had a very special last year, invigorating for personal growth and changes, both trying and inspiring. I’ve been getting back into my spirituality. Things tend to come to me— I’m on an “I-love-you”-basis with all of my vendors, they really get it and love the pieces that they’re making, so every article is made with love from inception to delivery. I believe you attract things with the same beautiful intentions by being the beauty— beauty of the soul.
What’s your ultimate dream job?
Creative director. For a major house or maybe a sportswear brand. I have strong leadership skills, and what I love doing most is bringing a vision to life. I just launched a graphic design agency for this reason! Not many people know about these other things that I do.
I’m very driven by the concept of “What’s your purpose?”… I’ve been thinking a lot about it and I’ve realized I want my brand to be the ultimate “cool girl” brand— there’s all this pressure for women to dress a certain way, to perform a certain kind of femininity, but also retain independence, but not act too independent, but not be a gold digger, and all this stuff that we’re supposed to care about, when really— you don’t have to care. This is for you, you can wear whatever you want, whatever you think is cool.
What are the most exciting aspects of your next collection?
There are some pieces that are pretty specific to me and my experiences, but that respond and interact with the zeitgeist in a way that is playful and powerful. I can’t share too much on that yet! But it’s always sharing more parts of myself. Personal aspects— culture, silhouettes, spirit— it’s all pieces of me.
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