Dapper, the multi-designer menswear that was previously located at Woodburn Park, has a new address. Shilpa Sethi, founder and curator of the store has relocated to a bigger store on Short Street. Spread across 1,600sq ft, the outlet stocks various designers from across the country like Arjan Dugal, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Payal Singhal, Amit Aggarwal, UNIT by Rajat Suri and Son of a Noble SNOB. “I think I was ready to go bigger with the new store. The location is great and I am super excited about it. We have retained some of the designers we had but included a lot new designers too who are fabulous,” says Shilpa.
(L-R) Rannvijay looks holiday-ready in these super cool co-ord set by Guapa. These Human Tribe shirts in Hawaiian style paired with matching drawstring shorts makes it fun and comfy.
An outfit that spells ‘dapper’ is this bandhgala set by designer Arjan Dugal, an example of luxury tailoring and the classy. The lace bandhgala suit is minimal and Rannvijay channels sophistication.
“Hey Siri, play Maahi ve from Kal Ho Naa Ho!” Yeah that’s exactly the mood with Rannvijay donning this black kurta set from Unit by Rajat Suri. The kurta has an elegant and minimal pipe-work embroidery on one shoulder and comes with a stylish neo stole with metal inserts.
Post the fun shoot for Dapper, t2 chats with the warm, honest and stylish Rannvijay Singha, who speaks about fashion, being a dad, a sneakerhead and his memories of Calcutta.
You shot for many looks today, tell us your favourite ones...
My favourite outfit was Arjan’s (Dugal). It’s close to my and my wife’s aesthetics. It’s classy and simple. The second would be the black kurta- look that took me by surprise but after I wore it I really liked it. The third favourite would be the black shirt that you can wear with jeans. It’s casual and there is this design on the chest. The coolest outfit was the printed- shorts look, very summery and also dressy. Then the brown-and-beige earthy colour with a long overcoat kind of thing was also nice. You can wear it at an event.
We love your cool and classy sense of style. How would you describe it in a sentence?
I don’t go against the norm or according to fashion of the season. I wear things for the occasion and most importantly it has to be comfortable. If I am not comfortable, nothing will look good. If you can carry things off it will look good, it could be a baniyan or the most expensive clothes…
Is there anything you will never be caught wearing...
(Thinks) As an actor working with designers, you end up wearing everything but on a personal note you will not see me wearing shoes with block sole at all. At one point I had thought I won’t wear skinny jeans but then it became so organic that I wear them now. I also wear regional clothes…
Have you worn a dhoti the Bengali way?
Yes of course! My sister-in-law is Bengali and at the time of wedding I wore a dhoti and everyone was like ‘wow’ and said ‘very bhalo’.Continuing with the previous question, you will not catch me wear opposition team’s jersey for sure! Utility wear with more pockets is very important. You put in your passport, AirPods, when you are travelling.
Who is the most well-dressed according to you?
In my family all the army officers dress really well. They carry the scarf, Nehru jackets, proper suits, brooches that they have earned or symbolise something... otherwise back in time Justin Timberlake would wear these baggy jeans and dance. David Beckham dressed so well, he wore such stylish clothes, what cuts….
A celebrity whose wardrobe you would love to raid?
Mr Bachchan’s (Amitabh)! It’s all about class, classy shoes, kurta pyjamas, shawls and also he wears sneakers!
Shoes, sunglasses or watches, you have a fetish for?
Sneakers! When you play a sport, say you play cricket, you will have batting pads, helmet, gloves, guards etc., but I play basketball and here then only thing you need is a pair of sneakers! Nothing else. I am a fan of (Michael) Jordan, Kobe (Bryant)… so while I was working in New York, I got my first couple of pairs of Jordan shoes. In 2003, when I was with MTV I started buying sneakers and now have a collection. I had over a 4,500 sneakers but during Covid I gave away and raised around
10-12 lakhs. I have sneakers in Dubai, at home in Chandigarh, in Bombay, and another flat that has sneakers. So I want to reduce and keep at 1,000 which is my aim.
(LEFT) posing against the iconic of Victoria Memorial at Roots on Chowringhee, Rannvijay flaunts his infectious smile as he poses for the t2 camera. Wearing a black shirt with screen-printed artwork by Sahil Aneja, teamed with denims and sneakers, Rannvijay’s attire is just perfect for a night-out.
(MIDDLE) Wondering what to wear at your friend’s sangeet? Take some fashion inspiration from Rannvijay who sports an Amit Aggarwal ensemble that features an asymmetric handwoven waistcoat in metallic polymer paired with a classic shirt and tapered pants with small metallic detailing.
(RIGHT) Blending cool and casual like never before, this three-piece ensemble from Son of a Noble SNOB has a lapel-collared kurta jacket with flat-front trousers and a solid linen T-shirt. We love the unusual colour and light fabric on Rannvijay.
You have a lot of fan-following...
I had eyebrow pierced and next Roadies I saw most people have eyebrow pierced. Back during Splitsvilla 1 I wore a suit with shorts because we were at a beach and eventually that became a thing!I don’t have a tattoo or any other piercing but I am waiting for my daughter to get her ears pierced, we didn’t get it done when she was small that was a mistake. Now I am waiting for her to say she wants to get her ears pierced and I will go with her and to give her confidence il get mine done and tell her see it didn’t hurt! (Smiles)
What is the most precious and fashionable item you possess?
The sherwani I wore for my wedding was Prianka’s uncle’s so that was very valuable for me. The suit that we got in 2014 wedding is very valuable too because I still fit in it! But then I’m not attached to anything other than my sneakers.The ex Roadies come home and they say many time if they can get this and that, I give them. A lot of early videos of Varun (Sood) and Prince will be in my clothes! When I was in Roadies and whole time getting to wear new clothes... so the ‘Wow man, ek naya T-shirt’ went away and I’m not into fast fashion. I wear the same T-shirt and jeans so many times! If you go through my Instagram, you will see me wear these jeans and clothes so many times. I repeat a lot.
What would be your fave brands be?
I believe if you have to buy something you have to go for to what they are known for. Like if you go to Tom Ford, you can’t buy a wallet or shades, you should buy a suit…So I do wear a brand that I have invested in called Disrupt, it’s a street fashion brand. I have caps from Urban Monkey, Eyewearlabs ka shades. I think Indian brands are doing very well. Arjan’s clothes are great, he is our go-to guy for my father-in-law or me or my brother-in-law. Narendra Kumar is a friend of mine and I know him for years, then Raghavendra Rathore’s Jodhpuris are fab. I love cultural Indianwear also. G-Star jeans I enjoyed a lot earlier, tees can be from anywhere they just have to fit well.
Your all-time favourite shopping destination is?
I don’t shop! I had phases, like I would go to America and get sneakers because they would be cheaper, then outlet malls where I don’t care if it’s current but you would get a nice jacket or a nice Hugo Boss suit. I am a typical middle-class guy who wants great quality and reasonable stuff, 100 per cent. Even now we go to Bicester Village and get CK stuff. Everyone does that but seldom people say. I will not pay a gazillion amount of money for something I will wear once or twice because I don’t need to show what I am wearing.
Your vibe in infectious but on a day you are feeling low what do you do?
I do not feel low. When you have children, you cannot feel low, you don’t have the time, you are dropping them, picking them up. The few hours you get you go to the gym, play basketball, come back... (my) wife or I go somewhere... I am happy.
What is alone time for you?
Watching action comedy, stand-up, basketball, pizza and burger... if I am alone and I don’t have restriction.
Since we are talking about sports, what is your take on the Indian team in the cricket World Cup?
Do we have a chance? 100 per cent! I had watched previous World Cup matches too, so if all goes well, I want to watch the semis and the finals.
“When we had first opened Dapper there were fewer option for menswear in the city but with time the scene has changed and it was about time we came up with a bigger store with more options. Men are shopping for parties, holidays and not only for weddings. We have nice Guapa shirts. Sahil Aneja and Payal Singhal shirts are amazing. This time the curation has amazing aesthetics. Arjan Dugal has a dedicated section, there are more accessories too,” said Shilpa Sethi.
You have been to Calcutta many times, what would be your fondest memories here?
Apart from my cousin getting married to a Bengali girl, it would be the party culture. It was amazing and I was in this phase of my life where going out was a part of who you were at that time. It was such a nice environment, women were safer here than other places, the culture of hopping from one place to the other and meet the same people, move around with the same group and it would be complemented with street food, you would binge on rolls and all that... and breakfast at Flurys. Roxy se Tantra, Underground, Venom... so it was fun then.
I think the best part of Calcutta is the camaraderie, it has a lot of history, not taken for granted and they are very passionate people be it food, culture, football and so on. Also, now since we can find out, I know a lot of my followers are from Calcutta, I feel loved here.
What: Dapper
Where: 7B Short Street
When: Opens today onwards
Timings: 11am to 8pm (all days)