Girl of Summer: Sanjana Rishi

A trained lawyer and multi-city girl, Sanjana Rishi (@sanjrishi) is an influencer with a purpose. Her 28K followers on Instagram, who learn about conscious consumption from her stories or reuse and recycle from her posts, will attest to her style steeped in sustainability. Last year, taking her sustainable journey the extra mile, Rishi launched her own conscious label, Nindia. Piecing together natural dyes and handmade fabrics, the loungewear label signifies our collective pandemic learnings that put comfort first.

We speak to the multi hyphenate lawyer-influencer-entrepreneur on her summer like no other and bringing new life to old clothes.

Summer days look like this…

I look forward to the longer days. I love daylight and find myself happiest when I can get the most of it. My schedule is different now but I used to hate leaving work at 6-7 to complete darkness. I love to sit out in the late evenings and still feel the faint sunlight. Cold cocktails on a summer’s eve are always delightful and refreshing.

Summer uniform…

If I have events or I’m seeing friends I’m usually in a bikini or a bralette with a coverup high waist skirt or trousers. For daily wear I prefer loose, breezy silhouettes: loose maxis and kaftans I’ve inherited, hemp shirts, organic cotton.

Summer shoplist

I try to ask a lot of questions before I buy anything, of both myself and the brand. I think the first part is important to address because as consumers we also have to be aware of and even critical of our consumption patterns if we want to be more conscious. I always ask: do I really need this item? Will I cherish and honor the craftsmanship? Am I buying it because I like the trend or because I can see myself wearing it forever? When it comes to brands, I ask how a piece is made, how they source their fabric, how they helped their employees during the pandemic, who makes the product, how big the batches are, and what certifications, if any, do they have? These are just a few questions I’ve found particularly helpful.

Hot-weather essentials

Any kaftan I can get my paws on and my hemp and peace silk headbands. I’ve never been big on bags but this summer I’ve bought a few beautiful grass woven bags that are perfect with any outfit or even just to tote around the harvest from my kitchen garden.

Summer style summarised in three words

Ethical, moody, comfortable

Summer routine

I wake up, turn the AC up to a sensible 22 (as opposed to the 18 my husband insists on sleeping in), wash my face and begin hydrating myself right away. I’ve given up caffeine recently and I have to say that while I miss it, I find myself reaching much more for my water and I love it.

Ideal summer getaway

When travelling, I love exploring, being active and learning about new cultures.

Jet-set essentials

A bathing suit, comfortable walking shoes, and some sunscreen.

Skincare for the sun?

It looks like SPF 50, of course! I’m very minimal with my skincare but diligent with sunscreen.

Tips for a second-hand summer wardrobe

Shop second-hand whenever you can! Luckily relaxed summer pieces don’t have crazy sizing issues. But remember that sustainability is about more than tips and tricks. It starts with questioning your own consumption practices, so before you buy anything at all, remember to.

A summer revisited

I have swimsuits from when I was in the 8th grade that I continue to wear—swimwear is a great thing to keep reusing because it rarely gets as much wear and tear as other oft-used clothing staples. Of course fashion also tends to be cyclical—suddenly the low waist jeans I thought about giving away at least once a year are back in style.

Retro summer fits list

My favorite vintage shops tend to have all kinds of goodies, you kind of have to watch out for drops—I love The Relove Closet! I just bought a lovely flowy, herbal dyed dress from them—secondhand! Another great one is Durty Fits. They have the most unique selection.