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Balwant AHIRA
Creative Brand Director | STUDIO AHIRA
As a creative director, my career so far has had a broad span, from my most recent work in global fashion retail with companies, Asos and Urban Outfitters, to glossy monthly lifestyle magazines, Arena and Elle Decoration, and serious journalistic settings such as London newspapers, The Guardian and The Observer. Adept in both online and print and with a breadth of international experience, I see myself principally as a developer of brand identities. Recently, I have established my own studio, Studio Ahira, and also launched an independent magazine, Essay, in the role of founder and editor-in-chief. The fulfilment of a long-held dream. It features legendary contributors such as Deborah Orr, Terry Jones, Martin Parr, Scott King and Robin Derrick.
questionnaire
What was your very first job?
Designer for the Sunday Times Magazine
Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.
I currently work as the creative director of Farfetch, one of the global leaders in online luxury fashion. My role is to evolve and protect by the integrity and overall creative vision of the brand.
How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? What was there train of events that brought you to where you are today?
My life in design was born from an early fascination for movie posters; I was brought up on a mix of American TV and the Bollywood big screen. Collecting posters and comics became my first hobby, and gradually my love affair with print developed.
A decade later, as a teenage art student still trying to figure out a direction in life, I stood in the London V&A gazing around the freshly painted white walls of an imposing space. The exhibition of iconic editorial design and street style fashion for The Face, City Limits and Arena left me lost for words, but showed me the way forward. That day was to define my future career.
I spent several years as a creative director in the world of newspapers and magazines, shaping the identity of iconic titles such as The Observer magazine, Time Out, Elle Decoration, Nova and Arena. This led me to the world of fashion retail. After relaunching ASOS, I moved on to work as a creative director for brands such as Anthropologie, Liberty of London, Rue La La, Joules Clothing and the Urban Outfitters group.
In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
Collaborate, travel, explore and constantly question...
If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation it required, rather than its recognition or industry “success,” what would it be?
Moving to America to help launch a new women's brand BHLDN, for the Urban Outfitters group.
