IN CONVERSATION WITH RIVA THAPA
For Riva Thapa, simplicity is a quiet form of strength. The gentle art of sitting with oneself and listening to the heart's deepest truths. Her rhythm moves with ease and intention: a mindful meal, a moment behind or in front of the lens, a song that threads through stillness. From growing up in Kathmandu to her travels across continents, Riva has gathered stories like keepsakes — each experience deepening her eye for beauty and her reverence for craft.
What have you simplified in your life recently?
Myself, first and foremost.
Growing up as young girls, we unknowingly absorb so much of the outside world’s toxicity. I won’t say I’m quite there yet, none of us are. We’re all a work in progress. But I think I’m much lighter today than I was a few years back, with more maturity, more experiences, and hopefully more wisdom than when I was growing up. I was always a light-hearted person, and I’m still that person but with more self-knowledge, and I think that really helps.
How do you slow down and unwind in your day-to-day?
II don’t need much to unwind. Making time for a good movie, reading a good book, listening to music, going through my photographs, organising things. When I’m not working, I’m in silence most of the time, so it’s a lot of listening to my mind internally, you know, or my heart internally.
What’s the last image or piece of art that made you pause?
Last image? I’m flooded with images. A couple of weeks back, I was in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, and I was in awe of the expanse of land — how the sky and the sand, or the hills, felt so continuous, as though there was nothing in between. I’m a very visual person, so everything moves me. It can be anything from a simple flower to something I see online.
Riva wears the Pleat Dress, paired with our Balloon Shirt, Parka and Shibui Tote.
Tell us more about your artistic background, how did you get into photography?
I grew up in a household where my grandmother, my mother, and my sister were
extremely talented with art. My mother could embroider, cook, knit. My father
was an architect, very good at his drawings.
I was clumsy, a leftie, had very bad handwriting, and was considered the least
talented. So in a way, photography became my subtle defiance of that narrative
and the belief I grew up with.
I saved up my money, bought a Nikon camera, and enrolled at Melbourne
Polytechnic (TAFE). My first assignment was to look out of a little square opening
in a window from this big studio hall and draw what I saw. And I started crying,
because drawing had that much pressure attached to me, you know.
You move between collecting, creating, and building. How do those worlds speak
to each other for you?
They’re all very interconnected for me. I’ve always lived for beautiful things. Even
as a young mother, when I had less to spend, I would always go to a vintage
store and buy something or the other.
With collecting, I was very inspired by my mom and what she called a hope chest
— a wooden box where she kept little things that were meaningful and valuable
to her. Now with my kids, I’m always thinking, oh, this I’ll keep for her, I’ll tell her
this story, I’ll keep that for him. I feel that same care and attention to detail
extends to my work. When I create something, especially a small line of
jewellery, it’s designed to be collectible.
So how would you describe your personal style?
Eclectic. I like to mix and match. Lately I'm leaning more and more towards vintage, even if it's just a small piece, like a little bit of that Art deco, something from the Korean era, some flair, some embroidery, some drama.
What’s been inspiring your style this season?
Neba! Burgundy balloon vest. I'm eyeing so many pieces that I just have to accumulate.
What are your daily essentials? What 5 things can't you leave the house without?
Lip gloss, lip balm, hair comb, hand cream, and my Jo Malone perfume.
What's the most meaningful piece of art in your home? And why?
It’s a painting on Nepali Lokta paper, hanging on the landing. When we first saw it, the artist had it crumpled up and was about to throw it away. We asked him to unfold it, and the moment we saw it, we knew we had to take it home and frame it.
Lastly, what brings you joy these days?
My two kids, knowing that my mother is in good health. Those are the most important things, the bigger things.
In a day-to-day sense, what brings me joy is going for my yoga classes, my skincare, hair care, building up a collection of products, organising and clearing out my cupboard. This is how I diffuse. I love doing that while blasting my music.
Light as practice. Beauty as responsibility. Craft as devotion.
