Interviews
Living the dream
As a successful designer and also a polo fan, Rina Shah knew how to combine her profession with her hobby, obtaining fantastic results
Rina has discovered the way to unite her two passions.
Rina Shah is a successful businesswoman and designer who was born in India. She is also a great polo fan. She recently spoke with LivingPolo about her relationship with this, the Sport of Kings, about her businesses and about the way she has discovered so as to be able to unite her two passions, going on to being broadly welcomed by clients all over the world.
LivingPolo: You're a designer and a great polo fan. How did you become interested in the sport?
Rina Shah: "I went to watch a game two years back. That was my first polo match that I ever watched live... the kind of excitement and adrenaline rush I had just watching the game was amazing... and then after few months for watching few more games I decided to start riding and give this is shot... and everytime I sat on a horse, I started loving the animal and I started enjoying riding, but I knew that my goal was to play polo".
LivingPolo: At what club did you start to play polo?
Rina Shah: "I started learning training at Amateur Riding Club in Mumbai India".
LivingPolo: Nowadays, do you play only in India or do you also play in the United States?
Rina Shah: "In 2009 summer I went to Santa Barbara Polo Club, in California, to play and train and then in November 2010 went to Argentina also to train and play".
LivingPolo: In your opinion, what is the level of polo in India nowadays?
Rina Shah: "I think we have amazing players in India and the level goes up to 14 goal tournament. In 2010 India participated in the World Polo Cup and India is also going to Snow World Cup in 2012, but we still have a long way to go to make the sport more professional and popular in India. However, I think its just matter of time where things will change drastically and go to another level".
LivingPolo: In what refers to designing shoes, how were your beginnings?
Rina Shah: "I have been a shoe and a handbag designer since 12 years and I have this business running full fledged. My company is called Rinaldi Designs. The Equestrian and Polo Collection was launched recently. Being inspired with the sport and playing polo, I saw that there was as niche and not too many brands did a collection on polo and equestrian esp high end. Its only been 10 months since I launched this line and its got an amazing response. I am very confident that this line will surely go places all over the world."
LivingPolo: From where does the inspiration to design a shoe surge? Which is the process you follow so that a design turns into a reality?
Rina Shah: "As I have been doing this for so long, I do think ask my self 'if there is a market and if there is a niche?' I like doing different and unique things. Then I have a full fedged factory where everything is manufactured in house. So from the time I think of a design, then I put it on paper and then work from the patterns to the actual product".
LivingPolo: Are your designs oriented to luxury lifestyle, or which other is your target?
Rina Shah: "Yes for now I make the equestrian handbags from vintage scarves and embellish them with swarovskis and hand embroidery, so they have a lot of value and its for the luxury lifestyle".
LivingPolo: What can the followers of your designs expect for 2012?
Rina Shah: "I am doing a lot more equestrian inspired accessories like cuff links, clothing and boots for men and women. I also do boots handbags belts bracelets. You can find more by visiting www.rinaldipolo.com"
LivingPolo: How do you complement your work in a country like India, which is emerging a one of the world's leading nations?
Rina Shah: "Indians are very fashion forward and willing to try new things. My work for India has more bling and more ornate, which they love here. But I sell all around the world".
LivingPolo: What similarities do you find between polo and your work as a designer?
Rina Shah: "I am living my dream, I am doing what I love and at the same time pursing my hobby. I am taking my line all over the world this year and doing shows at polo clubs and playing at the same time. Like Polo Escape in Thailand and British Polo Day in Thailand, Dubai and Abu Dhabi".
By David Cattaneo, LivingPolo
