Today we’d like to introduce you to Swar Sahgal.
Hi Swar, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am an innovator and creator that specializes in shoemaking. My passion for shoes and innovation has led me to work with a plethora of material, allowing me to exercise my perspective on the more significant questions in my life through footwear and the fashion industry. Much like the idiom “Don’t judge a person till you have walked a mile in their shoes.” as a creator that struggles to open up, I use my craft as a tool to let the world in on my internal dialogue.
My creative journey started back home in Singapore. I have always needed to create, whether it was music, YouTube videos, digital art, the list goes on. It wasn’t challenging to find something creative to do, and when I did, I would invest all my time and energy towards it. There was a point where my dean told me that I might not pass onto 11th grade because my grades were suffering. All because the creative work I would do on the side brought me more happiness than anything I did academically. That conversation with my dean opened my eyes and allowed me to start thinking about what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing.
Shortly after graduating high school, I enlisted in the Singapore Civil Defense Force, our Fire and EMS Department. Graduating from the academy as a sergeant and posting to a fire station as a commander was a tremendous responsibility and a huge shift in my lifestyle as an 18-year-old. When I wasn’t attending to cases or writing reports, I still found solace in my creative outlets, even more so now with the number of things I had to face as a young adult donning the uniform. Over the three years in service, I still felt the urge to explore my creative potential and moved to Chicago to further my education.
I found myself a home in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) Footwear Lab. It was there that I had the recourses to push the envelope of what it meant to be creative. I gravitated towards SAIC as my Alma Mater due to their interdisciplinary approach to art education. I believe that pigeonholing a young creative into “Majors” in the creative field ultimately stunts their growth as an artist. SAIC’s interdisciplinary course allowed me to take classes in every area that was of interest to me. In turn, I have acquired skills across several departments, like fiber and material studies, sculpture, product design, and architecture, in addition to fashion, all of which I use in my practice today.
Growing up with a strict school uniform, I was always drawn to footwear as it was the only piece of clothing I had to express myself with. In addition to that, the enforcement of this dress code kept my gaze away from brand names and their value, allowing me to appreciate garments and accessories for their aesthetic qualities instead; this has been instrumental in molding me into the creative I am today. As a result, I tend to consider myself more of a creative that works in wearable art than as a fashion designer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think it’s ever really a smooth road for anyone in the creative industry. Turning the thing you love most into a career must be one of the hardest things to do and burdens the artist with many obstacles that vary in magnitude. That said, I think the “bumpy road” really presented itself before me after graduation. Once I came out into the real world, I’ve had to quickly decide which direction I wanted to move in, keeping in mind the ticking clock of securing a visa that stays looming over my head.
Time is such a precious asset as an artist/designer, so to be given a constraint on the time I have in the country that has nurtured my creative development has been a tough pill to swallow. It has resulted in me now heavily scrutinizing every opportunity that comes my way. I am constantly thinking about how every prospect will influence my career long term, if it’s the one I want to put all my energy towards, etc. Because the outcome can be very heartbreaking, to devote all your time and energy to a sponsorship that may or may not work out. Especially with the number of “opportunities” that exploit young artists’ creativity and skill set. As a result, there is a constant internal battle, and the anxiety it builds often leads to burnouts. That said, I also believe that success is what occurs when preparation meets opportunity. So, I try to stay centered and meditate regularly, reminding myself to maintain my work ethic regardless of my predicament. Because whatever is meant to happen will happen in due time. I trust in the process and remember that making the wrong decision is better than remaining stagnant and not making any decisions. Striking that balance is possibly the biggest challenge of all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in shoemaking, primarily in the world of sneakers. Over the last four years, I have developed my skills in the shoemaking process, allowing me to produce any shoe from scratch. I think I’ve gotten known for my ability to genuinely reproduce, in a wearable form, any shoe design I have in my head. Where I think my work stands out the most, however, is in my storytelling. Each shoe I make carries a little piece of me in it, and I ultimately hope it brings people together, building a community, as they resonate with my journey.
My proudest moment to date is receiving an honorable mention in the Global Footwear Awards of 2020. Not only for time and attention to detail that went into the project in every step but also because I felt vulnerable throughout that process. The Papillón sneaker tells the story of my experience through the COVID-19 lockdown and is the fruit of my personal metamorphosis. I think what sets me apart from others in the industry is that my focus isn’t to work for a big label/brand. I think of my shoes as art that can be worn, allowing me to move in a space that is my own, which takes away a lot of the pressure. I don’t look at the fashion calendar and instead choose to work at my own pace, collaborating with or consulting for labels along the way.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I think I moved to Miami at a time where I started to experience a lot of change. Many people moved to Miami from all over the US around the same time I did, and what I love about it is how it’s becoming a melting pot of culture and influence. That and the weather for sure, after four years in Chicago, it feels great to be able to hit the beach whenever I want. It feels like a home away from home; Singapore, being a small island, bears many similarities to Miami. Although the storms can be frustrating, it can be great all day and start pouring as soon as you decide to step out.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: swarsahgal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarsahgal/
