Presenting Saqib Saleem, designer Varun Bahl’s muse, as the actor channels the party mood with effortless panache and poise.
In conversation with designer Varun Bahl on his definition of his muse(s), the evolution of menswear and the art of dressing up celebs. The designer also gives us a sneak peek into what’s in store for 2022.
(Edited excerpts)
FL: Artists are known to have their muses, and since the process of creation in couture is akin to art, what is your take on that?
VB: For many decades, designers have been known to work alongside a muse who embodies the vision of what they have created and portray that in a human form. However, in today’s day and age, we can have multiple muses. For me, the new-age bride and groom are definitely the most important muses as they give me a canvas to play on and to visualise my work.
FL: Who is your muse when it comes to menswear and why?
VB: Actor Saqib Saleem is definitely an ideal man when it comes to menswear as he can pull off any look. He has a regal quality, and yet, is very approachable and feels relatable to everybody.
FL: Could you define what the Varun Bahl muse embodies?
VB: Varun Bahl’s ideal muses are confident, self- assured, and well-traveled with global exposure. They have a taste for the finer things of life. They work hard and are go-getters, strong on the outside yet delicate from the inside, which is a lot like our clothing.
FL: What would you like to say about the evolution of men’s fashion in India?
VB: Over the years, unique cuts and silhouettes have come to the fore. Men have started to make some bold choices in terms of playing with florals and fun prints, and the monotone approach has changed. Men are a lot more experimental now with what they want in terms of style. It’s exciting to see where this is headed.
FL: When it comes to the global-local aesthetic, how does Varun Bahl menswear reflect that?
VB: The global-local aesthetic comes from the fact that we have a global approach towards our cuts and silhouettes, while continuing to celebrate and experiment with Indian embellishments, textiles, motifs, and crafts.
FL: What do the evolving aspirations, ambitions, and outlook of a consumer in the menswear space reflect today?
VB: I feel brides and grooms want a fusion between the two now. Earlier it was just a classic red lehenga for the bride and a sherwani for the groom. Now, brides go for colours and different styles and so do grooms. No groom wants to look simple when the bride is looking out of this world. They want to strike a balance, and, yes, there are so many options for grooms that they don’t even look at the conventional colours.
FL: In 2010, you launched your menswear label in collaboration with film producer and director Karan Johar called Karan Johar + Varun Bahl. What have been the biggest milestones in this space ever since?
VB: It was a spectacular milestone in the sense of a creative collaboration with one of the greatest filmmakers and artists in Indian cinema. And we do have some exciting surprises in the pipeline.
FL: You have dressed Indian celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan and Ranbir Kapoor, among others. What do you love about dressing celebs and who are your favorites and why?
VB: It is always a great experience dressing a celebrity. They all have a great personal style and seeing your designs/creations in a larger-than-life format with these celebrities is always an exhilarating feeling. I wouldn’t want to pick any favorites as each of them bring their unique personalities to my designs, so no comparison is possible.
FL: Could you tell us about some of the ideas and inspiration that would rule men’s fashion this year?
VB: This year, we do see leather in a big way. Apart from that, funky colours, oversized clothes, and embellishments will be a big part of men’s fashion.