Statement and cool, Nikhil Thampi for RSVP is a line of party classics. A new launch from the stable of RSVP by Nykaa Fashion, mesh bodysuits, draped gowns, body-cons, double-breasted blazers, crop tops, holographic wrap skirts, jumpsuits, and draped shirts have made their way into the collection. We chatted with Nikhil on marrying his couture sensibilities to high-street fashion and on the label turning a decade.
Designer Nikhil Thampi
A well-tailored suit, interesting blazers, like we do the backless blazers (are party classics). We take classic silhouettes and give them a modern twist. A body-con dress. Right now, the body has become such a talking point where people are accepting everyone in every shape and size. There was a trend to cover up a curvy person. With this collection, we are trying to flaunt the curves. That’s the sensibility we are dabbling with.
Nikhil Thampi
Statement and cool, Nikhil Thampi for RSVP is a line of party classics. A new launch from the stable of RSVP by Nykaa Fashion, mesh bodysuits, draped gowns, body-cons, double-breasted blazers, crop tops, holographic wrap skirts, jumpsuits, and draped shirts have made their way into the collection. We chatted with Nikhil on marrying his couture sensibilities to high-street fashion and on the label turning a decade.
The collection looks very party, shimmery and glamorous, just the right amount of optimism in these times...
Well, to be honest, it was a pandemic project where I was approached to do this collaboration five months ago. We were at home with a lockdown and no certain future. So, we had no idea which direction to take with this collection. In tandem, both the brands agreed that we should create a collection which is aspirational and infuses life back into people. The last two years have been so dramatic so we thought of ending 2021 by giving people the hope of a better tomorrow by creating a collection which is aspirational and will make people comfortable and yet stand out in the crowd and is very pocket-friendly.
With the overall economy being hit due to the pandemic, luxury shopping has definitely been affected, maybe not as much... it made a lot of sense for our brand to take the next step, because Nykaa is a phenomenal platform and it has a very large reach. Our’s is a niche clientele... with custom-made outfits. With this collection, we become a household name. Anyone can wear a Nikhil Thampi outfit. It was a win-win for our brand to collaborate.
These are all statement pieces. You pretty much don’t need anything else!
That is exactly what we wanted to do. We wanted people to feel comfortable in just wearing the outfit and they can go light otherwise... no accessory.
Shine, sheen are party fail-safes, right?
Definitely. It is like a little black dress or a classic suit or sari. We have used colour tones that really compliment Indian olive skin tone and that is the most beautiful skin tone in the world. The shimmer also complements the Indian skin tone very well. So, even for a first-time wearer, it’s not really out of a box or a super hectic colour that people cannot resonate with. We have used jewelled tones, bronze, gold, olives. These are investment pieces. Certain trends keep coming back every five-six years. So, from this collection, you can pick out things which you can wear five or 10 years down the line by restyling them. Every garment can be deconstructed and worn separately, like a blazer could be worn with an Indianwear. There are a lot of options for you to pick and choose and put your own personality into it.
Generally, I see hectic, statement prints dominate the wearer and after wearing five or six times of seasonal prints, you cannot keep wearing it again and again. In its core DNA, this collection is classic with eternal styles.
At Nykaa Fashion we are committed to curating the best in fashion for our consumers. We seek to continuously offer delightful and trendy options — be it through our Hidden Gems curation, our focus on local crafts, or through the onboarding of Indian and international brands. RSVP by Nykaa Fashion is a design-focused, contemporary label from our portfolio of owned brands that celebrate modernism through each garment and appeals to anyone with a bold and confident style sensibility. Nikhil is a master with contemporary and versatile silhouettes for occasion dressing. It was truly inspiring to witness him bring his vision for RSVP to life through an all-inclusive, trans-seasonal collection. Through this collaboration, we are offering our consumers access to one of the country’s most sought-after western-wear designers. This collection reiterates the inclusive ethos of our brand, through size and style options, and celebrates Nikhil’s creativity. I am sure that Nikhil Thampi for RSVP, with its blockbuster design aesthetic, will resonate with anyone looking to add an edge to their personal wardrobe this season.
Adwaita Nayar, CEO, Nykaa Fashion
How was it putting together a trans-seasonal collection?
To be honest, it was a big risk because we wanted to change the narrative of high-street fashion overall. There were challenges that we faced because we were sitting in the middle of a pandemic where the entire world was under lockdown. To source the fabrics was also a big task. So, we were stuck in the rut of should we do something very statement where we use locally sourced fabrics or we look for an opportunity to use international-looking fabrics for a high-street collaboration. Luckily, team RSVP was extremely kind and helpful and they made all the visions come true. It has paid off.
How was it marrying couture to something as massy as Nykaa?
That bridge was so interesting and it was a learning experience for me also, though we have done an Indian-wear collaboration in the mass space, but that is out of my comfort zone, but when it comes to western wear, I am really particular about the fit and flow. The team was extremely helpful. They understood where I was coming from. So, they gave me the liberty to express myself through the designs. It was a perfect marriage.
What are your party classics?
A well-tailored suit, interesting blazers, like we do the backless blazers. We take classic silhouettes and give them a modern twist. A body-con dress. Right now, the body has become such a talking point where people are accepting everyone in every shape and size. There was a trend to cover up a curvy person. With this collection, we are trying to flaunt the curves. That’s the sensibility we are dabbling with.
And, you complete a decade!
Oh my god! I have no idea how it has crossed 10 years. It feels like we started yesterday! Me getting into fashion was an absolute accidental opportunity. I was never professionally trained. So, whatever I have achieved till now has been purely on instinct and research of what works internationally. Even for this collaboration, we looked up what the international designers were selling. Shimmer is a staple, from a top brand like Chanel to a new brand. So, we are trying to take Nykaa’s RSVP brand on the international route. So, to mark my 10th year with a collaboration this big, was a dream come true.
What will the next 10 years belong to?
We really hope that there are next 10 years. We have 10 huge collaborations. We are digressing a bit from only apparels and also creating a house. We are introducing a lot of cool products, which will be tech-heavy, bags, shoes, perfumes, high-end jewellery, sunglasses... we are introducing a head-to-toe Nikhil Thampi experience and the kick-starter was this RSVP collection.
