The next era of Topshop is upon us. As we move forward, we want to get back in touch with the creative London spirit that made the brand so unique. We want to create spaces where the city’s coolest talent, tastemakers, influencers and cultural experts can tell their stories and inspire the next wave.
This season, our campaign is all about creating ‘without walls’ – and what better way to explore that idea than with two boundary-breaking polymaths? Below, we chat to Anita Chhiba, the Creative Director of Diet Paratha; and Fernanda Liberti, an award-winning photographer, artist and model, about pushing creativity in their fields (and much more).
Chhiba created the culture-shifting Diet Paratha Instagram while working in advertising. What started as a mood board of vintage Bollywood posters soon became a place to give South Asian creatives the spotlight they deserved. Now, she counts brands like Vogue, Dazed, Topshop and Moschino (whose show she recently attended at Milan Fashion Week) as clients and collaborators.
What does fashion without boundaries mean to you?
Fashion without boundaries means no rules. It’s carving your own lane and subscribing to your own ideas.
What do you think Diet Paratha has done for South Asian creatives?
The platform has really helped South Asian people feel seen outside of the stereotypes placed upon us by the Western world. It's really about Brown people being really good at what they do – nothing else. All without that stereotypical wrapper of Brown tropes, like food or clothing or monuments and other things, that are so expected to be platformed from our collective cultures.
What have been your proudest moments with the platform?
Being recognised as a cultural contributor with brands and publications that I've grown up on. And collaborating with them on projects, creative direction, casting and more. It just feels so special.
And what have been your biggest challenges?
Not having a blueprint. This kind of thing hasn't really been done before in the South Asian realm or within our own people. So, there's just been a lot of learning as you go.
How would you describe your style in three words?
Considered, often-outrageous, and confident – is that even three words?!
FERNANDA LIBERTI
Photographer and model Fernanda's had a busy few months. Not only has she just had her first solo exhibition in Paris, but she walked one of the most widely praised shows at London Fashion Week, Karoline Vitto. Celebrating colour, Brazilian culture, bodies and the LGBTQ+ community, she's won awards including the British Journal of Photography International Photo Award, and was selected as a Dior Laureate in 2022.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
My name is Fernanda Liberti and I’m from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. I’m an artist, photographer and sometimes model.
What does fashion without boundaries mean to you?
Being able to express my personality and my style in outfits that I feel represent me. And that highlights my body and its curves and shapes.
How would you say you've broken boundaries with your career?
By working hard and being resilient. Coming from South America, it's always felt like there was a glass ceiling – especially being a female artist and someone who does things outside of the norm. But I've been honest to myself, done the things that I believe in and not given up.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration everywhere. I love being inspired by people. I love being inspired by nature, different landscapes and random things. It's a big brainstorm of madness.
What attracts you to subjects in your work?
Energy, and sometimes the way they look. The way that their face or hair moves, and how the light touches their face. I love street casting and finding people on the street. I love photographing my friends as well. I'm just really inspired by people's stories, and the light that they have in them.