JOIN USCarrying forward a legacy
His father, Sunil Mehra, has been his greatest inspiration and it was seeing him work with different fabrics and garments that influenced designer Saggar Mehra to choose the same path. Born with an artistic inclination, the young designer says he always wanted to create something flawless and edgy.
Having been in the industry for the past six years, Saggar has managed to come up with some marvellous menswear collections and stun the fashion industry. In a chat with Surupasree Sarmmah, the ambitious designer gets candid about the first thing he designed, his inspiration and more.
How did designing happen to you?
I have grown up seeing my father working passionately and involving himself in creating some of the most incredible designs; something he does even today. This inclination towards the profession had to come to me naturally. Today, for me, it has become a reason for living.
The first thing you designed...
It was a pattern of a skirt when I was in college.
What if you were not a designer?
I would have been a visual artiste or may have been doing something related to writing (though not necessarily about fashion).
Your interests apart from fashion designing...
It has to be music. I like to keep myself up-to-date and I listen to all genres — from retro to current hits. But if I have to choose a favourite, it will be the rock era.
What inspires your designs?
The people I meet everyday inspire a lot of my designs. The experiences they share about their life is something I look at closely.
Your style of work...
I work primarily in menswear and want to transform suits from being a formal wear to an everyday and more functional wear.
The materials you like to work with...
I like to work with blends of different yarns and broaden each one’s characteristics.
One thing in your closet you absolutely love...
My white shirt. I just can’t do without it.
If you were to be a pair of shoes... which one would you choose and why?
I would like to be a blue-brushed-finish, double monk strap shoe.
Your latest collection looks stunning...
Yes, the idea was to give a vintage look to the collection. We have experimented a lot with blends, especially with the ‘alpaca’ fabric. The highlighted colours are grey, blue, green, orange, monochrome and pink to name a few.
Five things you can’t live without...
Books, music, my artworks, white shirt and laptop with internet.
Three things you would like to carry with you to a deserted island?
Well, I have to choose survival over luxury here. So food, sunglass and two pairs of clothes are a must.