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Fashion designers play around with colours and textures to match the mood of the season and provide us different styles for our wardrobe.
While we often mix and match different items and pick accessories or add-ons from branded outlets or the streets, how do designers go about choosing their wardrobe? Designers tell Metrolife about their style statements.
Most fashionistas say that Bangalore doesn’t have much of a street wear culture and they pick up clothes when they are travelling. Paresh Lamba, a designer in the City, says that he goes street shopping when he is abroad. “I shop everywhere and don’t consider myself as a high street fashion person. I do pick up things when I’m travelling. Whenever I’m abroad, I look out for things that have a local touch. When I was in China, I bought a few silk scarves off the street which could be used as pocket squares for jackets,” says Paresh adding, “When I was in Venice, I bought an Italian handmade belt.” He says that he is the guinea pig for his own designs and thus whenever he makes something new, he makes it a point to try all of it on himself.
Tina Sareen, who designs clothes which are a blend of European and Victorian boutique wear, says that she is more design conscious than brand conscious. “I don’t care about labels. Predominantly, I wear my own clothes. When I go out to shop, I usually buy basic wear and match those with pieces that strike a statement,” she says. Tina feels that Bangalore doesn’t have much clothes with a western influence and she usually loves indulging in markets in Europe where one can get great bargains or shop in vintage stores.
Designer Anjali Sharma shops for anything as long as it has a visual appeal. “I pick up street style clothing from street vendors when I travel. I even pick up little trinkets and souvenirs,” says Anjali. Which is the one item that she buys only from branded stores? “Footwear! There is no negotiation on that,” she quips.
Many designers are most comfortable in their own wear. Sanjay C says that his outfit varies according to the occasion. “I mostly wear my own clothes as that’s the best way to promote my line. There have been many instances when a client has looked at me and said that he wanted a trouser with the same cut or a jacket with the same fit,” he says. Sanjay says that he shops for leisure wear in Delhi, Mumbai and Goa.
Manoviraj Khosla states that nine out of 10 times, he wears his own clothes be it shirts, trousers and jackets. “But I do shop for denims and T-shirts outside. As long as the clothes are stylish and cool, I buy them from anywhere. I shop off the streets mostly when I’m travelling,” he says. Ask Manoviraj about where he shops in Bangalore and he’s quick to say, “Nowhere. One doesn’t shop in the City one lives in!” He shops for shoes the most. “I have shoes in a lot of colours and love collecting them,” he adds.
Not everyone sticks to brands when they are shopping. Lokesh Ahuja, a designer who specialises in men’s wear, says that he would most often be spotted in a white or black shirt with a pair of denims. “I buy anything that I do not create and that includes denims and shoes. I am not a designer or brand person. If I find something which goes with my style that I wouldn’t mind paying for, I get it,” he says. Lokesh adds that he doesn’t wear many accessories and likes to keep his style minimalistic.