GREENING THE BLUE

Artist and an Afghan refugee, Fatimah Farhad collaborates with men's swimwear brand Rey&...giving way to a collection that communicates her unwavering love for art and the importance of representation.

- RIA SINGH

Harper’s Bazaar: Nishant, tell us about your brand...

Nishant Singhal: “Rey&I is a men’s swimwear brand, leading up to resort wear. The idea is to make men feel comfortable so they do not have to compromise with high street swimwear brands. I wanted to bring something unique to the table...Rey&I fills a niche between fast fashion and high-end swimwear brands—hitting a sweet spot in terms of pricing.”

HB: Fatimah, tell us how your journey with Rey&I began...What approach did you take while designing this swimwear collection?

Fatimah Farhad: “Nishant [Singhal], the founder of Rey&I, was working with my father [Akbar Farhad] when he visited us at our home in India. He appreciated the symmetry and intricacy of my artwork and commissioned four paintings. I recall contemplating whether this project would be completed in time, but I managed to finish the designs in just a month! I wanted all my designs to be distinctive... My approach towards fabricating this swimwear collection was driven by the desire to take forward my father’s art legacy—and to share our story through a unique medium.”

HB: Tell us the story behind the Plaj collection...