HAVE YOU MET: SHARON RODRIGUES

Sharon Rodrigues is our local liaison agent in India, to make it short. Treasure digger, production officer, translator, facilitator, Jean-Paul’s assistant and more… She’s the embodiment of a Swiss knife. 

Around since always – in Extra-Ordinaire time – she’s constantly supported even our wildest ventures. 

Sharon is a freelance fashion designer who graduated from the NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi, India. Outside of Extra-Ordinaire, she offers her knowledge and skills to various companies all-across the country. 

Let’s get to know Sharon. 

WHERE DO YOU LIVE & WHERE DO YOU COME FROM ORIGINALLY?    

“It’s almost impossible for me to pick a specific place of residence as I am and have always been travelling across India. There are actually 3 cities I can call home: Mysore, Mumbai & Delhi. I usually stay in each for about a month, travelling mostly for work. 

I come from Mysore; land of royalty and palaces!” 

NAME 1 PERSON, 1 PLACE, 1 OBJECT THAT SHAPED PAST, PRESENT AND INSPIRES YOUR  FUTURE.

Past– A Person:  Jean-Paul Lespagnard: “Jean-Paul came into my life when I had just been introduced to fashion. I was very vulnerable at the time. I met him by following a workshop where he taught a side of fashion which I had never seen in my life.  His approach is fascinating and I’m constantly learning with him. He is a person who has inspired me and continues to do so.”

Present – A place: Delhi: “Delhi isn’t the most favorable city when it comes to standard of living. Yet, it’s constantly taking you out of your comfort zone thus it keeps you moving. The streets of Delhi are so inspiring because they offer endless opportunities. You can literally look at anything and be inspired to do something out of it. 

For instance, there’s a market where clothes that were rejected for exportation are sold. It all comes and is sold in big batches, at very cheap prices. I buy from there to upcycle these clothes. 

If you’re a creative person, Delhi is the land of possibilities because there is a market for every single thing.”

Future – An Object: Sharon’s Camera: “My camera is where my creative process starts. I believe I have an eye for tattered beauty, be it buildings, nature, people even. I’m drawn to things that aren’t your stereotypical beautiful and that’s what connects me most to E-O: the way it finds beauty in objects is so raw and real.  

I take pictures every single day, of my surroundings, the mundane everyday objects, the people around me, and try to capture them in their element. I then sit and go through them at least twice a week and I always find something that inspires me to do more of what I do. This way I’m never bored of travelling and will always be on the move.”

HOW DO YOU FIND THE EXTRA IN THE ORDINARY IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?

“One word, versatility: I always aim to find and do different things to keep myself ever excited. I don’t like to stick to a certain thing/task for a long time. I also try to constantly put myself in challenging situations. To take on a new challenge and crack it is my thing.”

WHAT MAKES E-O PHILOSOPHY SO EXTRA-ORDINARY?

“Firstly, the global nature of the project is so exciting. Secondly, it drinks directly out of the fruit that is hand crafting. Extra-Ordinaire goes to small cities, small workshops, families even, to collaborate and give them a platform. E-O has its way of seeing handicraft and it showcases it to the people that have the sensitivity for it. It’s out of the ordinary as it is.”

Discover the world of Sharon Rodrigues here. 

Interview done and written by Richaad Kindts.