Learn from others and make people learn from you: Priyanshu Kumar

A fascination for natural textures and colours is what led Priyanshu Kumar name graduation project, and blog, The Raw Textures.

Nature is one of the most important inspirations for artists across the spectrum, be it those who deal with words or designs or more. There are a million possibilities if one looks closely at the ways and hues of how it all works. For Priyanshu Kumar, the fascination began in his first year at NIFT. Today, after years of working as a textile designer and being a blogger, the instinct of turning to nature have stayed on. In conversation with Social Samosa, he tells us more.

Looking back, where did it all begin?

I was a born foodie that is what my family and close relatives tell me. I used to fill both my hands with ladoos during Rakhi when I was a kid. The love for food grew with age. After my graduation, I got placed as a designer with a firm.  During my first years of job, I travelled a lot domestically/nationally and got exposed to a lot of authentic regional food items to high-end delicacies served at some of the best hotels and restaurants of India. I always loved photography and when I came across such beautiful and lip-smackingly delicious dishes/food, I thought of documenting every name and details in my notebook and clicked pictures of everything from all possible angles. Later social media platforms came into existence and I created my page. From the very initial days of Facebook and Instagram, I posted everything around me the best way possible. And that's how it all began!

What’s in the name?

I am a NIFT graduate and from my first year of college, I was fascinated by natural textures, colour, form and look of any particular thing. Raw defines the purest and natural element whereas texture is something I like in anything and everything — be it the fabrics I design, the food I eat or the view I get to see during my travels. My graduation project was named The Raw Textures. It is also the name of my eponymous label of handwoven sarees, stoles, scarves & fabrics.

What is your USP in this cluttered space? How does your content give you an edge?

Real and rooted are the words I relate to and I try to keep everything on my page and life in sync with these concepts.

Please take us through your content creation process. How do you stay relevant and relatable?

I post everything that defines me and everything that is around me. Be it food from an elite restaurant or a soulful meal from my own kitchen. I try to keep it real without putting an extra effort into creating one. I try to keep things simple, clean and clear.

How do you make moolah with your efforts?

I have a set of ethics I follow while working on something. Whenever a brand approaches me for a particular campaign and set deliverables, I offer them my best cost/commercials for working on it. I try to ensure that the collaboration benefits both, me as well as the brand. Secondly, I never pitch any brand on my own.

How do you maintain editorial objectivity with the influx of brand briefs?

It's always a tough nut to crack. I try to stick to the basics, convincing the brand is needed on a certain collaboration/campaign.

Also Read: Parimita, Sameer and their Mumbai Food Trail

One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile?

One day, I posted about a home-cooked chicken dish and it took just an hour for my page to get flooded with messages from people across the globe. They were all happy to see my realistic preparations. It brought up their own memories of the dish.

Weirdest brand brief/request ever?

A brand wanted my mom to be a part of a video for a particular campaign and despite telling them she wasn't well and was hospitalised, they kept insisting until I finally called off the collaboration.

If not blogging, you would be?

If not blogging, and with blogging too, I am a textile designer.

A day in your life...

I start my day with a morning walk, followed by making tea for mom. Then, I check emails and schedule design-related meetings, if any. Further, I brainstorm on new designs for my brand, have lunch at home or out in case there is a review scheduled. I enjoy my evening with friends, cook dinner at night, spend some time with my family and go off to being sound asleep.

Message/tips for upcoming bloggers

Be real. Stick to your ground. Do things because you are passionate about them and not just for the sake of doing it. Don't hurry up unnecessarily. Don't run in a rat race. Create your own identity and niche. Learn from others and make people learn from you. Be happy, enjoy your time and work, and always be yourself.

Your Favorite Influencer

On a daily basis, I get inspired by content creators across segments/genre. For me, anyone who is doing good in their respective field, be it a college student, someone working from their home, or an expert in a sector — everyone is a favourite.

The Future you foresee for your Personal Brand

An overall platform for food, fashion and travel — inspiring people to be their real self, spread positivity and smiles around, and love and enjoy what they do.