Sheerah Ravindren Will Always Speak Up

Speaking of Berlin Fashion Week, the model and advocate walked for Abarna Kugathasan’s Kitschy Couture, a frequent collaborator. “It's a unique expression of not just her German, Tamil and Hindu upbringing, but just Abarna as a person.” Ravindren continues: “Her personal taste, because she is so much more than those identities, and the beautiful mix of all these things have been so tastefully and perfectly encapsulated in her label.”

Ravindren has also been outspoken on Instagram about issues in the fashion and creative industries of inclusion, exclusion and, more recently, the link between the ongoing genocide in Palestine and their own Tamil heritage. “ I don't know everything myself, but if I know enough or have a resource of knowledge, I can guide people. It feels like it's a duty to say something if it means people will widen their perspective in order to create change in their own way.” They’ll continue to speak out, Ravindren says, because “there needs to be real systematic change in all levels of the industry, in front and behind the scenes, for us to really say change has happened.”

Below, PAPER caught up about their plans outside the world of fashion, including DJing, as well as the brands and designers that inspire them and what change in fashion looks like.

Speaking of Berlin Fashion Week, you walked for Kitschy Couture, by Tamil designer Abarna Kugathasan. What do you love about the brand and Kugathasan’s design philosophy?

I adore Abarna and her label Kitschy Couture; it's a unique expression of not just her German, Tamil and Hindu upbringing, but just Abarna as a person and her personal taste (because she is so much more than those identities). The beautiful mix of all these things have been so tastefully and perfectly encapsulated in her label. It's truly her unique world, and we are getting a peek into it. I love that her shows have all Black and brown models, and the the models and team become a part of her fashion family. Both shows pretty much had the same faces with new additions. It's such an honor to be part of that growing fashion family, her vision and see her support so many of the people in that family. Also I love seeing my Tamil folks unapologetically take up space in the creative/fashion world.

What other upcoming designers or brands are you inspired by currently?

Masha Papova. I'm really loving the Y2K indie sleaze it-girl energy. It really resonates with my personal style that's also influenced by music. I loved that at their last show they played "Crown on the Ground" by Sleigh Bells for the final walk too!

Michaela Stark. It's always such a pleasure working with Michaela and wearing her gorgeous pieces which I feel powerful and gorgeous in. I literally feel like art! She really has shown that bigger curvier bodies are high fashion and art. I also love that her work is not just about the clothing, but the theatrics and the show. She really knows how to put on a show with her work.

I came across Willy Chavarria earlier this year, and I am obsessed! It would be a dream to work with Willy — a show or campaign. It's wonderful that he references his Mexican heritage, especially Chicano culture, as well as being a brand that is making important social statements. Don't get me started on the incredible casting choices for his shows showcasing awesome Black and brown talent.

Maximilian Raynor: incredible human whose work is so theatrical. You can definitely see his theatre kid days have influenced his work amongst other things. I have had the pleasure of working with Max on his fashion film which came out earlier this year, "Manor from Heaven." I also really appreciate his consistency for me and so many other Black and brown talent and seeing his pieces on them too.

Last year, you organized the queer, Black, and brown indie night “Hot Trash.” You’ve also talked about the impact of indie music on your life. Do you ever see yourself organizing a party or space like that again?

Generally I have a very eclectic, wide taste in music, but what I gravitate towards and love to DJ is indie, pop punk, alt rock. Last year, I didn't know how to DJ, and as grateful I was to have had the opportunity to get some great DJs and a great venue to put on my indie night, I was gagging to be behind those decks and banging out my own tunes. This year I finally learned to DJ and have been having the best time!

Learning from the first night, I have really grown and feel like I have a better idea of what I want to do. A music night has always been on my mind, but this time I’d work with another DJ to put on an eclectic music night and actually be able to DJ. I'm interested in doing that in Birmingham instead of London. London is a fab city that I am in all the time, but it already has many different and niche events for everyone. That isn't the case for Birmingham. There's still so much space for more niche nights and a need for nights that are queer and POC friendly, run by queer people and POC. All I will say now is that there's stuff in the works, and I am really just excited to work with my mates.

You’ve also linked the ongoing Palestinian struggle with that of Tamil people in your work. Do you find that the fashion and creative industries have been receptive, or otherwise?

When I talk about things on my platform, it's more for the audience, regardless of whether they are in the fashion/creative industries, to hear me out. I want to encourage them to go and learn more for themselves and remind people that none of us, or our actions, are too small or irrelevant. We all need to do better not just for ourselves, but for the people around us. Especially those who suffer more than us. It's quite crazy to think that even when I talk, I sometimes don't feel like people are even hearing me or care about what I say, but then I get messages or people come up to me saying they now are a more aware or only just being made aware of a certain issue because I mentioned it on my platform. I don't know everything myself, but if I know enough or have a resource of knowledge, I can guide people. It feels like it's a duty to say something if it means people will widen their perspective in order to create change in their own way.

I think there are individuals within fashion and the creative industries that are concerned and some even may even be trying to do something, but if we are talking about the fashion and creative industries in general, I don't believe the industry cares at the end of the day. These industries are rooted by oppressive systems, so ...

What are your hopes for the fashion industry, with so much of it changed over the last few years?

Without sounding pessimistic, I don't have much hope or concern about the fashion industry. It's still an industry and institution that's rooted in oppressive systems and the disparities I see in the industry spaces are glaring. There's so many issues that persist in the industry and some people think that seeing a few Black/brown, queer/trans and plus-sized people in a fashion campaign is enough. It's all at face value, and there needs to be real systematic change in all levels of the industry, in front and behind the scenes, for us to really say change has happened in the industry, which remains benefitting the most privileged and palatable people. The phrase, "the industry isn't for everyone" is still very much relevant, and that is the problem.

But I have so much hope for the fashion communities and creatives who are coming together for their love for fashion as a medium of self expression, art and a tool for change. A lot of these creatives are very much on the same boat as me creating some incredible work while hustling working their side jobs because they don't have the privilege to be doing their work full time or to fund personal passion projects. Instead, we are collaborating and using each others skills and connections as resources to make are work slowly come together. Of course, when paid work or major projects come through, we are putting each other forward. It's really using our own growth to make the community grow with us. I hope that never stops.

Photography, creative direction and production: Matt Spratt
Styling: Elise Shauna
Makeup: Georgia Hope
Set Design: Fai West

Styling assistant: Lena Angelides
Set design assistant: Fred Link