Ajmer’s esteemed Mayo College saw a nostalgic homecoming as its magistrally talented alumnus, Ritwik Khanna of Rkive City, returned to honour the institution’s 150-year-old legacy. In a heartfelt tribute, the designer unveiled a menswear line crafted by refashioning cast-off school uniforms and archival artefacts.
Staged at the Mughal Gardens at Mayo, the runway was graced by the true spirit of the college – students, teachers, parents and notable alumni – handpicked to walk the ramp. The front row, too, was a confluence of creative influence, featuring names like fashion photographer Rid Burman, Sawai Padmanabh Singh (Pacho) and Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur’s royal family, designers Gursi Singh, Amrita Khanna of Lovebirds and Ruchika Sachdeva of Bodice, among others. The runway direction mimicked the school’s iconic march past walk, underscored by a live traditional brass band.
The show opened with a striking candy-striped bandhgala jacket, complemented with oversized bermuda pants and a leheriya headpiece, which recurred throughout the entire lineup. This set the tone for a collection that moved seamlessly through upcycled blazers, slouchy pants, camo separates, and embellished hoodies.
True to the brand’s ethos of reconstruction and revival, silhouettes were meticulously repurposed from worn-in linens, old curtains, discarded shirts, and scrap pachranga tents. Smaller details amplified the narrative: old school ties reimagined as laces, broaches, and belts, while archival coins were transformed into statement buttons.
Khanna also introduced fresh interpretations of classic forms. The Jodhpur pants he wore during his riding lessons at school were reimagined into denim, offering a modern, versatile twist on a heritage staple.
With each piece, Rkive City reinforces its commitment to breathing new life into forgotten fabrics, transforming remnants of the past into silhouettes that carry a distinctive edge synonymous with the brand.