“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” This Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, inspires her and she has proudly displayed it proudly on her blog. Since her childhood Shilpa Purushottam Koyande has been taking interest in designing her own costumes. Soon, the interest grew larger during her college days, and Shilpa started designing costumes for others. “Now, my hunger is bigger… Wanna achieve it for my profession, my passion…my work.” she said, when spoke to her recently, to know more about her professional work.

“I always wanted to become a costume designer and work for Marathi film industry to improvise the costumes of different characters, giving them a glamorized look. Basically, the role of a Costume designer includes everything from deciding the right costumes for the right character. It also includes their hairstyle, as well as the accessories like jewellery, purse, shoes etc. which they are supposed to use in the movie.” explained Shilpa.

Speaking about the importance of costumes in films, she feels, “Costume plays a very important role in presenting a person, by his or her pattern. The colours we use, presents their attitude or shades of that particular character.” Shilpa is very much happy that the face of Marathi cinema is changing day by day. “Now, the Marathi artists are also much more cautious about their looks on screen and off screen. Hence, they give priority to it, as much they give it to their fitness.” she added.

Surprisingly, Shilpa’s journey began in the Film Industry, without any godfather. Marathi film ‘The Strugglers- Amhi Udyache Hero’ was her debut film in 2012, as a costume designer; which was Directed by Vijay Shinde, starring Chinmay Mandlekar. After that, she worked as a costume designer for another Marathi film ‘Mahanayak Vasanta Tu’ again starring Chinmay Mandlekar.

“In 2013 I got a opportunity to work with renowned director Girish Mohite for his much talked about Marathi film ‘Guru Pournima’, starring Sai Tamhankar and Upendra Limaye, Sulbha Arya,  which was produced under banner of Srihit Productions and released in September 2014.” recalls Shilpa.

Shilpa’s excellent costume designs in ‘Guru Pournima’ were noticed and appreciated by film critics; thus bringing her into limelight. Immediately after this film, she designed costumes for another Marathi film ‘Kalakendra’, directed by Vijay Shinde, starring Lokesh Gupte, Priya Gamre, Priya Berde. The film is focused tamasha culture. At present, she has four Marathi film assignments in hand; out of which 2 films are produced by Satish Motling productions. Recently, Shilpa was in Bangkok, along with the team of this film, for their shooting schedule there. Other assignment is of director Shantanu Rode’s upcoming film, which revolves around the humour filled relationship between father and son.

Besides Marathi films, Shilpa has designed costumes for commercial ads and has also worked on designing of costumes for a parallel hindi cinema, ‘Dhobi Ki Dulhan Pyari Hai’ directed by Sharmila Sankar , which was basically, an International film festival project. There is also one regional movie ‘Mortoo’ produced in Konkani language, which was screened at Melbourne international film festival and international film festival of Goa in 2013/14.

Besides film industry, Shilpa also designs costumes for the Five Star Hotel like Tunga Reganza, Vashi. And, last but not the least, she has worked as costume designer for the Dance Events of Shaimak Davar, Anand Mujumdar, Deepali Mandavkar and for other national competitions of Ballroom dance.

Isn’t that something to be appreciated. Only way, we can describe her is that she is a promising costume designer, with a difference.