It’s official – Indian menswear is the new cool!
With designers diversifying the sector and introducing fresh styles, men no longer have to settle for boring and predictable fashion choices. For ages, the market was dominated by formal and occasion-specific attire, which left them with little flexibility to create their unique style statement.
From funky prints to bold colours, the industry is now more inclusive and diverse than ever before. So, whether you’re a fashion novice or a style expert, there’s never been a better time to explore the world of Indian menswear!
Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop. Men is at the forefront of this menswear revolution and houses premier and emerging Indian labels. As India’s biggest destination for designer menswear, it is expanding its reach to major metro cities.
Nestled in Mehrauli, just within reach of the Qutub Minar, Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio. Men inaugurated its biggest destination for luxury menswear. The event was star-studded, with fashion influencers, creative minds, and style experts who are changing the face of the industry. Bharat Gupta, a creative director, stylist and fashion commentator, was among the fashion elites.
We caught up with the styling genius, who was also the official stylist for the stunning Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu for Miss Universe 2021 and our gracious host for the launch.
In this exclusive interview, we uncover Bharat Gupta’s expert insights and thoughts on ever-evolving fashion, style, and menswear.
PPUS: How do you feel about collaborating with a leading Menswear multi-retailer platform?
BG: It’s a great feeling! It also means that we have moved forward, right? Earlier, menswear was limited to a few designers and only a few men who were actually interested in clothes beyond just what was basic. We have moved ahead where not only men are interested in fashion, but they have a space where multiple designers are showcasing at one destination. Thus to me, to be a part of this is obviously more of an honour and privilege.
PPUS: When it comes to a multi-designer destination, particularly for Menswear, what’s the most crucial aspect?
BG: One is variety, and the other is clarity.
For instance, if a client wants to go to a particular designer, they would probably go to their store. The only reason they’ll head to a multi-designer store is when they have the top choices from all the designers and a slew of styles to pick from. Reason being they can gauge what works for them and what doesn’t, and they can always pitch two options against each other. And the other thing is visual merchandising; there needs to be a bit of clarity. For example, if I’m coming for party wear or to shop for a wedding, I should know which section to go to without immediate assistance. So it is very important to have clarity in terms of visual merchandising and arrangement because one can get confused with a plethora of options around.
A fuss-free and beautiful visual merchandising makes the shopping experience a lot more easier. So for me, these are the two most important things.
PPUS: As a seasoned stylist with years of experience,- what’s your styling philosophy?
BG: The core of it is minimalism. Especially for Men, I enjoy clothes that feature a great cut, an intriguing structure, impeccable fabrics and flawless construction because one can only play this much with silhouettes. If it is well-made, it automatically looks good. I also feel that a lot of us are influenced by trends. One must decipher their sense of style and then see what trend element can be incorporated while staying true to their style. Having a sense of your preferences, choices, and sartorial style is more important.
PPUS: Are there any particular Menswear designers that you are ardently following?
BG: If I were to talk about Indian designers, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna are, of course, great friends and great designers. The legendary Rohit Bal, you know he, is the one who set the trend for menswear in India and did it beautifully. Among the new designers, I love Akhil Nagpal, Akshat Bansal and Bloni Atelier. These guys do very different stuff. Akhil Nagpal, however, has more womenswear, but his creations’ construction is beyond beautiful.
In streetwear, there is Jaywalking and Almost Gods. There is so much interesting stuff happening in Men’s fashion today. And Amit Aggarwal, of course! It is so unique how he creates not only a structure but the fabric.
PPUS: What is something that you would like to see more in the menswear space?
BG: I would like to see changes in silhouettes. We have understood the Bandhgala, the Sherwani, the Shirts and the Jackets. India is a country known for its drapes, and men need to drape themselves too. Be it a stole or a shawl, it needs to be a part of the construction rather than just an accessory. By doing this, I feel, will also blur the lines between gender specifics in clothing. The more we move towards a non-binary take in terms of clothing, Men will become more comfortable experimenting with what they wear and what designers have to offer.
To experience the pinnacle of men’s fashion and design, you can head to Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio. Men near you, i.e. Ahmedabad (Privilon), Delhi (Indian Handicrafts Emporium) and Mumbai (Waterfield Road | Kemps Corner) or visit our website. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a timeless classic, you’re sure to find it here!