How birds, wildlife, and childhood memories inspired my vision of couture.

Nature has always been part of my life. Growing up, watching a nature programme was part of our routine. We would have dinner and then relax together as a family while watching a documentary, often trying to predict how an animal or marine species would behave.

My parents also loved nature. They grew up surrounded by wildlife. My dad kept birds and my mum grew up around goats. Being from South Asia, nature was simply part of everyday life for them.

Some of my fondest memories are from Sundays with my dad. Every week he would take us to the park to see the swans. I remember standing by the water watching them glide across the lake. I thought they were the most beautiful creatures, so elegant and peaceful. I absolutely loved swans.

Because of this environment, I developed a deep love for nature and became passionate about the welfare of animals. During my primary school years, my sister and I joined the World Wildlife Fund. We campaigned to help the dancing bears. We went from class to class raising money using a fundraising pack that included stickers to give to anyone who donated. We truly felt like we were helping, and I really hope we did in some way.

As I grew older and moved through high school, college and university, that love for nature stayed with me. I was not always vocal about it, but I always knew there was a beautiful world that God created.

When I had my son, it all came back.

At first I thought it was just a phase when he brought home his first giraffe and elephant toys. But then the collection grew to include farm animals, dinosaurs, fish and birds. Before long we had boxes full of models. Each one had to be unique. He never wanted a duplicate. The Schleich collection certainly made a lot of money from us. Every birthday gift he asked for from family was another Schleich animal.

Fourteen years later, he still loves nature. He is a passionate bird watcher and almost like a walking marine life encyclopedia. The Natural History Museum is one of his favourite places. When we visit, I usually leave him to explore and do his thing.

His passion reminded me how much I used to love nature too.

Birds were never something I paid much attention to before. I knew the birds of prey and everyday birds like the robin, crow and pigeons, that was about it.

My son opened my eyes to a whole new world of beauty. The heron, the golden pheasant, the kingfisher. Truly breathtaking.

The colours of these birds are magnificent. Vibrant, luminous feathers that almost glow when they fly. The heron, with its elegant posture, moves with such grace that I am always in awe.

It also made me realise how much fashion has been inspired by nature. Feathers, ruffs, textures and prints seen in couture gowns often reflect elements of the natural world. Nature has influenced fashion for centuries, and it continues to do so today.

The idea of combining birds and couture has always lived in my imagination. I often wondered how it might look.

One day, while talking to my partner, he said, “Why not create it?”

I am not great at drawing, but I knew exactly what I wanted to see. So I used AI.

I know AI can be controversial, but when it is used as a creative tool for expression, I think it can be something amazing.

So I created this.

Personally, I have always loved the gowns of the 1700s and 1800s, especially the elegance and structure of the Mantua dress. There is something regal and artistic about that era of fashion.

When creating this video, I wanted to bring those two worlds together. Nature and historical fashion.

The result is a fusion where birds and wildlife inspire mantua style gowns, translating feathers, colour and movement into fabric, structure and silhouette.

I really hope you enjoy watching it.

Follow my YouTube for more videos. I am thinking marine life might be next.

🐠