In conversation with Sunil Sethi, chairman, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), on the exponential growth of a reimagined menswear segment as he decodes the new dynamics.
(Edited excerpts)
FL: Why did you think it was about time to bring back a fashion week dedicated to men’s fashion?
SS: The men’s fashion scene is exploding and has been seeing an exponential growth because it is not a saturated space. Earlier, we had an event which was discontinued, and this was the opportune time to restart it. The beauty of this segment is that it has a huge potential as men may be smart shoppers but they always look for investment pieces, which have longevity. This changing direction makes designers look at silhouettes offering versatility and multifunctional usage.
FL: How did the venue-Aguad Port and Jail Complex, Sinquerim, Goa-resonate with the show?
SS: Creating a ramp in the middle of the Arabian Sea is a feat not many have been able to achieve till today. It was a unique showcase soaked in history, as the venue is a heritage site with an unmistakable cultural ethos that lent the showcase an edge. The designers and the crew were ferried by luxury boats and the entire spectrum came alive with the glow of the sun, while the sea added an unmistakable sheen to the runway.
FL: The show featured some of India’s finest menswear designers. Was there any common interwoven theme informed by a larger artistic context, which the designers offered to connoisseurs and consumers of fashion?
SS: Thematically and conceptually, they were given a carte blanche to create the mood for what menswear is currently going through-a metamorphosis. There is an embracing of prints, colours, embroideries and embellishments like never before. Most menswear brands preferred to go trend-agnostic and channel a more classic, seasonless appeal. But, some wanted only a youthful flavour-whether it was through the organza hoodies or the ‘nose-art’ inspired by American bombers on crisp jackets-each designer gave his discerning customer a taste of newness keeping traditional crafts in focus. It was a bridge between conventional wisdom and modern intellectualism.
FL: How would you describe the transformation of the Indian menswear segment?
SS: The most interesting part is the customer, who is open to experimentation, and willing to abandon stripes and suits for joggers and sweatshirts. The pandemic has upturned the set dress codes and introduced a stylish casualness to a man’s wardrobe. Some call it slouchy; some prefer to give it a more relevant moniker by terming it as oversized and androgynous. The dynamics is moving towards sustainability with recycled denims as well as creating something afresh out of discarded waste.
FL: Going forward, what innovations are we going to see on the conceptualisation, production and presentation of fashion shows?
SS: As fashion joins hands with technology and innovation, each passing season brings with it ambitious productions replete with intricate craftsmanship, dazzling installations, laser-light design, live crooners and bespoke soundtracks. The idea is to widen the horizon and reach out to a global techno-centric audience using virtual reality, live streaming and real-time feeds, and transform traditional fashion shows into a more inclusive experience.
RESHAPING MASCULINITIES
The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) initiated the men’s fashion week, titled HSBC FDCI India Men’s Weekend blended by Chivas Glassware, in Goa, on January 14, 2023. Aguad Port and Jail Complex, Sinquerim, Goa-a heritage structure that pays tribute to the freedom struggle-served as the venue for the HSBC FDCI India Men’s Weekend show.
Swirls of Drama
The Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna collection is an oeuvre of the label’s signature designs with a hint of exquisite embellishments. Inspired by Western designs and techniques, the collection features fringed accents with structured patterns accentuated by cut bead crystals swaying down the skin to embrace the secrecy behind every silhouette.
“Speaking of the USP of their India Men’s Weekend 2023, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna tell First Look, “With an avant-garde twist, the menswear looks showcase a bolder and experimental vision of the RGRK man. With the richness of the classic colour palette of silver, white and black, this collection redefines the point where performance, art and fashion intersect.”
ROHIT GANDHI and RAHUL KHANNA
In Beach We Trust
Carefree was the code when models in bare torsos strutted the ramp in style to showcase Rohit Bal’s well-fitted denims. The beaded necklaces were the cool accoutrements of the beach-friendly collection. With this showcase, the celebrated designer was back on the runway after a hiatus of two years. Making a case for moody modernism, the label’s signature florals popping against a sophisticated black base and paired with fluorescent-shaded trousers elevate the collection to creative luxury.
Candy Crush
Famed for his well-tailored suits, Ashish N Soni showcased candy-coloured suits paired with sneakers for a sporty edge at the India Men’s Weekend 2023. A refreshing twist to the humdrum menswear palette, the creations signal an embracing of beautiful camaraderie, brighter aesthetics and razor-sharp silhouettes.
Spinning Innovation
In keeping with the design house’s signature clean and contemporary silhouettes, Rajesh Pratap Singh showcased well-crafted coordinates in handwoven fabrics punctuated with metal threads. Lending a fresh twist to formals, Singh seems to be freeing men’s formals from the tried-and-tested formula of drab, principled and boring with subtle and nuanced notes that serve modernity with a hint of ornate glamour and restrained edge.
A Suspension of Disbelief
With florals adorning his creations for the India Men’s Weekend 2023 as well, Varun Bahl-known as the “couturier of flowers”-expressed his language of romance in a range of bomber jackets with ‘suspender’ detailing and multi-pocket utility trousers with peekaboo style.
“Speaking of the significance and future of men’s fashion week, Varun Bahl tells First Look, “Men’s fashion weeks have always been significant, but now, as the men of our country have grown more conscious of their own fashion choices, designers have started experimenting more when it comes to menswear, giving men’s fashion weeks a separate and fresh audience of their own. This will definitely prove to be a step up for the menswear industry as today’s men are more and more into experimental fashion.”
VARUN BAHL
God of Graphic
With their India Men’s Weekend 2023 showcase ‘High Impact’, David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore continue to explore classic garment shapes, while reworking proportions to create breezy and easy-fit silhouettes that their label Abraham & Thakore is synonymous with.
“Speaking of the significance and future of men’s fashion week, David Abraham tells First Look, “Men’s fashion weeks have a very bright future as fashionable menswear is a rapidly growing market for younger customers. Young men are breaking out of old conventions and seeking new creative ways to define their identities through fashion.”
DAVID ABRAHAM
Thanks for another magnificent article. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
I have seen many useful issues on your web page about pcs. However, I’ve the thoughts and opinions that netbooks are still more or less not powerful more than enough to be a sensible choice if you often do things that require loads of power, for example video modifying. But for world-wide-web surfing, word processing, and the majority of other popular computer work they are just great, provided you do not mind the tiny screen size. Many thanks for sharing your notions.
What i don’t realize is in fact how you’re now not really much more smartly-appreciated than you may be now. You are so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly on the subject of this matter, made me personally consider it from so many various angles. Its like women and men are not interested except it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs nice. All the time deal with it up!
Thanks for the tips you have provided here. Something else I would like to state is that personal computer memory specifications generally increase along with other advancements in the technology. For instance, whenever new generations of cpus are brought to the market, there’s usually a matching increase in the size preferences of both laptop memory and hard drive space. This is because the software operated by way of these cpus will inevitably surge in power to make use of the new know-how.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. many thanks
Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my blog thus i came to ?return the choose?.I am attempting to find issues to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
Thanks for these tips. One thing I also believe is the fact that credit cards giving a 0 interest often bait consumers with zero interest, instant approval and easy on the web balance transfers, but beware of the number one factor that will probably void your own 0 easy streets annual percentage rate as well as throw anybody out into the very poor house rapidly.
Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.
Thanks for your post. I would also like to say this that the very first thing you will need to do is check if you really need credit improvement. To do that you must get your hands on a duplicate of your credit rating. That should not be difficult, ever since the government makes it necessary that you are allowed to get one totally free copy of your own credit report on a yearly basis. You just have to ask the right individuals. You can either browse the website for that Federal Trade Commission or maybe contact one of the main credit agencies immediately.
One thing I want to say is the fact that before obtaining more computer memory, have a look at the machine into which it can be installed. When the machine is usually running Windows XP, for instance, a memory ceiling is 3.25GB. The installation of in excess of this would simply constitute just a waste. Be sure that one’s mother board can handle your upgrade amount, as well. Interesting blog post.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I?ll certainly comeback.
Great blog post. What I would like to contribute is that laptop memory has to be purchased in case your computer still cannot cope with anything you do with it. One can add two random access memory boards of 1GB each, for instance, but not one of 1GB and one with 2GB. One should check the manufacturer’s documentation for the PC to be certain what type of ram is needed.
Thanks for this glorious article. One other thing is that almost all digital cameras come equipped with some sort of zoom lens that permits more or less of a scene to get included by way of ‘zooming’ in and out. Most of these changes in {focus|focusing|concentration|target|the a**** length tend to be reflected inside viewfinder and on massive display screen right on the back of any camera.
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great posts, have a nice evening!
Hi! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics? Thank you!
Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
Good website! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
I really like your wordpress design, exactly where did you download it from?
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thanks!
There are certainly a variety of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to deliver up. I supply the ideas above as normal inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you convey up the place the most important factor will likely be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Each girls and boys feel the impression of only a second?s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
What an eye-opening and thoroughly-researched article! The author’s meticulousness and capability to present complex ideas in a digestible manner is truly admirable. I’m totally impressed by the scope of knowledge showcased in this piece. Thank you, author, for offering your wisdom with us. This article has been a true revelation!
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
affordablecanvaspaintings.com.au is Australia Popular Online 100 percent Handmade Art Store. We deliver Budget Handmade Canvas Paintings, Abstract Art, Oil Paintings, Artwork Sale, Acrylic Wall Art Paintings, Custom Art, Oil Portraits, Pet Paintings, Building Paintings etc. 1000+ Designs To Choose From, Highly Experienced Artists team, Up-to 50 percent OFF SALE and FREE Delivery Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and all regional areas. We ship worldwide international locations. Order Online Your Handmade Art Today.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific website.
Thanks for the thoughts you are revealing on this weblog. Another thing I would like to say is the fact getting hold of some copies of your credit score in order to check out accuracy of any detail could be the first measures you have to perform in fixing credit. You are looking to clean your credit profile from destructive details errors that spoil your credit score.
Thank you for another informative web site. Where else could I get that type of information written in such a perfect way? I have a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
That is the precise weblog for anybody who desires to search out out about this topic. You understand so much its almost exhausting to argue with you (not that I really would want?HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just nice!
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there.