The B Word: Zorawar Waraich

B is for… Looking the Business. Feeling your Best self. So Bad it’s good. B is for Browsing and Buying the looks from your favourite Brands. Being Bold and Bringing the most to every Browns ensemble.

Introducing a fresh series of the “The B Word”, in which a new group of our most Brilliant friends show us what they’re wearing and how they wear it (ie. do try this at home.)

Today’s edition spotlights dynamic creative and activist, Zorawar Waraich. Their career began at just 16 years old when they began sharing their intimate personal journey in decolonisation and self-love with the world.

Below, Zorawar showcases their favourite Browns ensemble in expert model style. They tell us how their identity and heritage inspire their expressive wardrobe, and give us more insight into their work as an advocate for self-love.

Shop Zorawar’s Edit

Full Name: Zorawar Waraich
Location: East London
Occupation(s): Model, photographer and content creator
Handle: @zeesw
Three Words To Describe Your Style: Timeless, Queer, Punjabi
Favourite Designer: My friend Ashish, the master of sequins (it’s hard to be mad when you’re a hand-crafted disco ball)

What occasion did you have in mind when selecting this edit of pieces?
I imagine myself wearing this to show face at some sort of pretentious PR event and leaving early to go to a function with my girls after realising I look way too good to be there.

You’ve chosen pieces from young British designer Maximilian Davis. What is it that you love about his work?
I admire and respect the ways in which Maximilian Davis’ work speaks about his experiences as a Black British artist of Trinidadian descent. And in doing so, speaks to the experiences of many British diasporas with a clear intention to empower them.

How would you describe your style?
My style grows with me and changes with my moods. It's also undeniably inspired majorly by the way my mum dressed in the ‘90s after her divorce. A young, single and free first-generation immigrant from Punjab.

How does it reflect your identity and personality?
My style reflects so many different parts of my identity and personality all at once. It dances between tradition and rebellion, sex appeal and elegance. People immediately assume so much about us from what they see, so my style works to challenge any assumptions made about me.

Where do your best outfit ideas come from?
Usually from my childhood memories of my mum going out or old photos of my family in Punjab, as well as when they first immigrated to California. Other times, from my daydreams and nightmares.

What is the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
A sweater that my grandma knitted for my uncle in the ‘70s. People ask me who the designer is all the time, and I proudly reply ‘my grandma’.

Tell us a bit about your photography. How did you start?
I started taking photos because my elders documented so much of their youth. My parents always had a camera or camcorder handy to document mine, and this is how I learned so much about where I come from and who I am.

What’s a standout moment in your life, both as an activist and an artist?
Photographing Raveena Aurora in my family home. It was so special to photograph a fellow Queer South Asian artist from a Sikh background. I had always imagined how fulfilling that would be and I was right.

As an advocate for self-love, what are the main things you do to look after your own wellbeing?
The main thing I do is listen to myself and keep a dialogue going with my own conscience. Whether I have good or scary thoughts, I make sure I respond with the same love, compassion and understanding I have for my loved ones.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Those who are meant to, will stick around. Let go of your fears of being unlovable.

What’s next?
Hopefully more of what I’m already doing. I want my work to show young Queer brown people that we belong here, that we’re owed space in the creative industry because we deserve it.

What are two things you can’t live without?
Food and water.

Where in the world holds a fun memory for you?
Costco.

If you were a piece of clothing, what would you be?
A pair of perfectly tailored trousers with crisp pleats that can withstand hours of partying.

Tell us a secret?
I’m single.

What’s the B-word that best describes you?
Beautiful.

Shop Zorawar’s Edit

Interview by Sophy Davis Russell