JOIN USMatching different items sensibly
At Van Heusen, factors like the cut, colour and design of an outfit don’t exist in isolation. In fact, the designers here work on all three factors to create the perfect clothes for both men and women — and that’s precisely what gives the brand an edge over its competitors.
The designers, Gaurav Raheja (design head, men’s wear) and Kunal Dass (design head, woman’s wear), believe that style should always coexist with substance. “It is not about making false claims. It is about understanding the mindset of the consumer and engineering the products accordingly,” explains Gaurav.
And true to this belief, the brand has always kept track of the changing fashion needs of its consumers. Talking about the men’s fashion, Gaurav adds, “There is a significant change in the buying habit of men now. In the past, consumers used to look at products in isolation. For instance, shirts, trousers and suits were picked up individually and combined with pieces of their own. Now, consumers are far more conscious about how they combine different garments or accessories. It is important that all these products talk the same language, which reflects the wearer’s mindset.”
The women’s wear, says Kunal, is a combination of everything that makes for a beautiful garment. “Beautiful-colour-meets-design-meets-fit is always a key requirement, of course, when it comes to relevance to the season,” reasons Kunal and adds, “the brand focusses on how to put together certain looks across a host of occasions.”
When it comes to men’s wear, the brand has something for every age group. But their ideal target group would be 30-year-old professionals who have the desire to look good. And the women’s line is targeted at those between 22 and 35 years.
When it comes to accessories, there are specific suggestions for both men and women. For men, Gaurav feels that accessories should be selected based on the occasion. “A shoe or watch for a business occasion are different from the ones you would wear to a party. All accessories have a strong character of their own, and it is important that one keeps these aspects in mind while picking the right clothes,” explains Gaurav.
For women, Kunal points out, “One should have the knowledge of what shoe goes with what dress and what bag with what ensemble. Of course, when in doubt, it’s better to go minimal than look out of place,” he suggests.
Sean Prakash, Final Year BTech, R G College, wore a dark blue winter blazer with a white shirt and complemented the look with a red bow tie.
Punchline: “I like the look of the jacket because blue is my favourite colour. It is an apt party wear for winter. It not only keeps one warm but is pretty stylish as well.”
Price: Blazer (Rs 7,999); Shirt (Rs 1,599) and trousers (Rs 1,999).
Candida Andrade, Final Year MBA, KLS College, wore a cowl-necked brown dress.
Punchline: “I think this is a cool cowl-necked dress. It can be worn during winter and also for cocktail party. The look can be enhanced by accessorising intelligently.”
Price: Dress (Rs 2,995)
Bhawana, I Year BSc, Army Institute of Fashion and Design, wore a blue and white striped dress.
Punchline: “The clothes are bright and suited for a day out with friends. The cut and design are quite unique. And you could even play around with accessories to enhance the look.”
Price: Dress (Rs 3,495)
Roshni Ramnane, I Year BBM, Mount Carmel College, wore a blue top and matched it with a short brown skirt.
Punchline: “The outfit is perfect for a late-night party. I could even wear it to an afternoon brunch. The best thing is that the outfit can be worn with a pair of flats.”
Price: Top (Rs 1,495); Skirt (Rs 1,995) and bag (Rs 2,195).
Mahesh Kumar, Final Year BCom, Surana College, opted for a red T-shirt and matched it with light beige trousers.
Punchline: “The combination is striking and the fabric is quite comfortable. It can be worn casually and if matched with the right kind of jacket, it is fit for an evening out as well. The quality is excellent.”
Price: T-shirt (Rs 1,499); jacket (Rs 2,599) and trousers (Rs 1,999).
Shifaz A, a professional, wore a blue and white striped T-shirt and matched it with faded denims.
Punchline: “I think the look is pretty cool and is perfect for winter. The outfit, when paired with a colourful pair of shoes, looks absolutely stunning.”
Price: Denims (Rs 2,799); T-shirt (Rs 1,899) and jacket (Rs 4,999).
Are you a college student and want to model for Metrolife’s ‘Haute Style’? Do you have any fashion tips for the season? Or you simply want to say
something about our feature ‘Haute Style’? Send your emails with contact number to: metrolife@deccanherald.co.in or dhmetro@gmail.com