Visual storyteller Rio Furqan Saini has wandered far from his childhood dream of being an archaeologist. Instead, the 39-year-old fashion director, creative consultant and image-making educator has ventured into the arts realm, creating evocative visuals across mediums for both the local and international audience. His advice to young creatives? Believe in your vision, put in the hours and most importantly, ignore the naysayers and focus on your craft.
“I’ve accumulated a rather large fashion collection over the years; an archive of sorts with pieces from 1990s Helmut Lang and ’80s Jean Paul Gaultier, among others. My most treasured? Those from Craig Green’s first collection, a Raf Simons x Sterling Ruby patchwork coat from Simons’s fall/ winter 2014 collection, and of course, Prada pieces. I tend to ‘collect’ items with high design and aesthetic sensibilities.”
The Raf Simons x Sterling Ruby coat for Simons’s fall/winter 2014 collection, of which there are only 20 worldwide.
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“Madonna led me to fashion in all her incarnations. In particular, her music videos directed by David Fincher formed the foundation of my fashion memory. Think Art Deco, stylistic choices and transgressive fashion. Come through, conical bras!”
Madonna performing in her iconic bra in 2012.
“High on my wish list is a ‘naked’ top by Glenn Martens for Y/Project. He has been under the radar for so long, and I’ve always been in love with his aesthetics and sense of fun in creating a collection.”
Y/Project fall/ winter 2022
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“I’m drawn to and admire people with a strong sense of identity and self; how they choose to construct and re-represent themselves through garments. Think the late Isabella Blow, Anna Piaggi, André Leon Talley, Judy Blame and Leigh Bowery, along with Iris Apfel and Lynn Ban.”
Fashion icon Iris Apfel behind the scenes for the Iris Apfel x H&M collection
“I’d love to have Meryl Streep be me in a film biopic. Just because she can literally play any role.”
Award-winning actress Meryl Streep.
“I have a Prada bias. Every season, Mrs Prada (and now Raf Simons) creates pieces that will still be relevant years later. I love the mix of unexpected fabrics and cuts, and the use of embellishment is on another level. I still wear Prada pieces from the early 2000s!”
Prada spring/summer 2022 menswear.
“Once a week, I do a full 12-step grooming routine with all the extra extras such as essences, serums and face oils. Go-to brands include Paula’s Choice, Drunk Elephant and Sulwhasoo.”
A-Passioni Retinol Cream, $108, Drunk Elephant at Sephora
“To me, youth is in active ageing. I spend a lot of time working on my health, fitness, form and flexibility. I also keep my mind active by reading and being in touch with the new and now, and spend time in dialogue with my spiritual self through meditation and recitations.”
Furqan Saini looking youthful in Prada.
“I have a special fondness for Yogyakarta. That’s where my family’s from and every time I’m there, I feel like I’ve lived a thousand lives.”