It’s been a busy few months for Rourkela-born Vivek Agarwal, the designer behind OOKIOH. Agarwal, who splits his time between Rourkela and Los Angeles, launched OOKIOH, pronounced o͞okēō, a play on the Japanese phrase Ukiyo (the pleasure-seeking life-style of the Edo Japan interval) in 2018, beforehand had careers in engineering, metal and actual property.
After noticing a spot in the market, Agarwal determined to pursue his ardour, and begin a swimwear label devoted to sustainability practices. OOKIOH pledges to be pre-consumer plastic-free by 2022 and makes use of yarn made out of wastes corresponding to sunken fishing nets from oceans and aquaculture and different cloth scraps destined for landfill.
He’s additionally obtained a seal of approval from Gigi and Bella Hadid, Hailey Beiber amongst many. Recently he has given an interview about his journey from engineering to a clothing line.
Engineering, actual property, now International Swimwear line. It hasn’t been a linear journey for you.
It has been a full circle and fairly a journey. I grew up in Rourkela—a small city in Odisha. I used to sketch Bollywood-inspired menswear whilst a child, and I at all times needed to be in vogue. However, I ended up doing Engineering as a result of it was thought-about protected. In 2017, after a whirlwind of experiences together with manufacturing metal, a Masters in actual property, and working for a mall developer in Chicago, I made a decision to pursue my ardour. The engineering mindset and analytical expertise which have helped me throughout industries. It permits one to see issues objectively, based mostly on numbers and information, and make knowledgeable choices. And, had it not been for the actual property program, I wouldn’t have had the alternative to fulfill Richard Baker and Mickey Drexler; they reignited my ardour.
What led you to discovered OOKIOH?
While there have been fashionable and sustainable swimwear manufacturers on the market, they have been both overpriced, too racy, or too severe. OOKIOH was based with the major objective of offering style-forward and acutely aware swimwear at an reasonably priced value level whereas having enjoyable and celebrating girls for who they’re—and whomever they need to be. We are for all our bodies and our bodies of water.
What is the USP of your label?
It is our design; They are distinctive and but approachable and wearable. I imagine now we have found out this distinctive option to mix ’90s vibes, sportiness, and horny and create this distinctive OOKIOH DNA that resonates with all.
Knowledgeable spotlight?
One of the first large shops that I went to after I first got here to the US in 1999 was an Urban Outfitters retailer in Lansing, Michigan. Coming from a small city in India, I used to be enamoured. Now to see OOKIOH on their cabinets throughout the nation is positively a spotlight!
You simply did a collaboration with Rachael Wang. Who could be a dream collaborator?
Prabal Gurung is on high of my thoughts proper now. I love his work and his journey, and we each share a love for colors. I believe we are going to create magic collectively on the seaside.
What recommendation do you have got for girls when shopping for swimwear?
You look nice. Don’t overthink it.