Episode 9- In Conversation with Saran Kohli
Chai with Rai (Ep.9)- In conversation with Saran Kohli where we sat and discussed everything fashion, his connection dance, music and how his mother Mani Kohli influenced the South Asian arts scene in the UK and him.
We discussed his dance career from Company 68, to Broadway Dance Centre to being in a show, showcased at The Oliver Awards. Saran discussed his main influence being Michael Jackson and how that influenced his own vocabulary. We also discussed the dance industry in the UK being South Asian and how we are usually bought together for only SA based projects as oppose to our POC counterparts. We also dove into wether South Asian talent should have a fundamental knowledge of their culture and their roots, especially when in the arts.
Saran also talked in such passion about Vitiligo and all of the work that he has done for himself and the community. Recently he launched a face mask with artist Mira Abad. And he has got some great projects in the work.
We also touched on Marvels The Eternals and another project for which he danced in and designed the costumes for. His own clothing line Saran Kohli has been worn by Sachin Tendulkar, JLS, Jay Sean, Ashley Walters (Top Boy), Lenny Henry, Juggy D, Mumzy Stranger, Ameet Chana and H Dhami amongst others.
Saran Kohli Label has since been featured in GQ, Esquire and Asian Wealth Magazine. The list of international celebrities, influencers and bloggers wearing SKL and being styled by Saran himself has grown to include Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London), Sachin Tendulkar, Amandeep Singh (Aka Inkquistive), and Big Narstie amongst others with pieces being featured in New York Times, GQ UK, GQ France, GQ America and UK Esquire. SKL has now also branched out to designing uniforms for the hospitality industry; The Bloomsbury Hotel and St James Court (TAJ Hotel) in London being the most recent endeavor in collaboration with Bencivenga Alta Sartoria.
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