Not too long ago in the year 1979, first ever architectural firm was opened by an Indian female architect. Since then many others have proved that when it comes to being an architect, women at times can do it even better. Not just in India but world wide a lot many women today have proved their design sensibilities with their iconic structures. And if you thought interior designing was easier for women folk, think again. Being a male interior designer myself, I’ve had a few clients say that we preferred a male designer. Cause they thought a women could not run around so much. I never really understood what extra I did that a female designer could not, but then what I did understand was that women are way too underestimated for their role in building this society. To prove it otherwise there are these women who dared to make their name a brand to look upto. This International Women’s Day I share with you five fierce women designers who inspire me the most.
Sonali Bhagwati
Architect Sonali Bhagwati is a great example when it comes to what women can do with supportive men in their lives. From her father, to her husband and off course her mentor, the Pritzker Award winner BV Doshi. Today she sits as the President of DPA with multiple national & international awards which she has received in her 30 years of design experience.
Kelly Hoppins
Kelly is a South African interior designer with a project list that goes global. She has won many international awards including the European Woman of Achievement in 2007. *This woman is literally a rock star as she performed in a rock band before being arrested and imprisoned for violating apartheid laws by mixing with black musicians. What started with doing a friend’s kitchen is now a massive creative force. This woman is not just an entrepreneur but a writer, teacher and an ambassador for one of the Prince of Wales charity.
Emily Henderson
Power house of a woman, Emily Henderson is one of my favourite American designers today. She is so big on social media that if you Google her you might keep getting links about her for the next 10 pages. She is one of those people who share online not just her projects but at times her personal challenges in life as well. A must follow account on Instagram. This mother of two and a super supportive husband, has a fabulous blog which might have an answer to any interior decor related issue under the sun. She is my role model.
Zaha Hadid
Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid hardly needs an introduction. This Queen of the curve, changed the perspective and became an icon in the field of architecture. She was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize and many other that made every man turn around. From a fire station to olympic stadium, also a ski jumping building, she has done it all. This controversial Iraqi-British designer left us in March 2016, which was a shock to the design world. However her company still prevails finishing projects designed by her and making building that look as if out of a sci-fi flick.
Revathi S Kamath
Architect Kamath is known as the pioneer of mud architecture in India. To be honest when I first saw her work in a design magazine which was done in Hauz Khas Village. A house made in the mud architecture style , was something so unique that I had never seen anything like it before. Revathi has made her name internationally as well and has garnered quite a few accolades while doing so. Her firm is called Kamath Design Studio which is based out of Delhi. Her unusual and signature style of architecture makes every project strike out. Wether that be a luxury hotel in the dessert of Rajasthan or an animal shelter. I totally am in awe of this women.
This surely is not all, but a lot many more of female architects, interior/product designers, prominent decor bloggers are inspiring and shaping the very society we live in everyday. There should be no need for people to think how a female would handle a bunch of contractors or a few labourers. Or think that she might be too ambitious for a woman. Just look up for inspiration and stories around. We should tell our daughters, sisters and mothers to fight like a woman and they will win indeed.
