Singer Sandeep Vyas slipped into this red double-layered angarkha-style kurta with smart bronze button detailing. Comfortable and chic, the couturier paired it with a voluminous and silky grey Patiala that spelt comfort. One can also wear it with printed pants to add a fun element.
The model turned entrepreneur who opened his own gym last month slayed in a red sherwani having a rough texture like terry. Medhavini teamed Neeraj Surana’s classic overlay with black harem pants and formal shoes.
Medhavini created a well-coordinated look for the three dapper men. Keeping the festivities in mind she chose a bright red shade for all of them and toned it down with shades of grey and black. Our models show you how to rock in red this Diwali.
Giving Billiards World Champion Sourav Kothari a more casual look, the designer chose a short grey kurta that had pintuck detailing on the sleeves. She accentuated the look with a cherry-coloured Nehru jacket dotted with cross embroidery detailing in red and grey.
Neeraj looked uber cool in this jacket that has an interplay of colour blocking in shades of blue and grey. Wear it over a white shirt and pair it with denims just like the model. Neeraj who has worked with Medhavini earlier said, “She was the first menswear designer that I worked for when I started modelling and I think every shoot I have done for her has been simple fun. It’s been a real pleasure shooting for her again. I love her clothes. They are comfortable and stylish and what else men can ask for?”
Keeping the Arjuna Awardee’s professional background in mind, the designer gave Sourav a sleek look with a black bandhgala that stood out for its asymmetrical cut. A brightly printed foulard added a nice pop to the classy jacket. Further, a flowy and deftly tailored Patiala lent a relaxed look and Sourav looked nothing but spiffy. Talking about his experience he said, “I loved this jacket. Since black is my favourite colour and this bandhgala is so classy, it clicked with me instantly.”
This look blends the classic with the contemporary impeccably. Sandeep here is wearing a longer version of a Modi jacket which has asymmetrical cuts and vibrant colours of thread embroidery. With a short kurta and Aligarh pants, he is all set to win hearts and the card game on Diwali. “Usually, shoots are boring but this was so much fun; it was a riot. Luckily, we all could make it to the shoot on the same day. I guess when things are meant to be they just happen,” said Sandeep.
Couturier Medhavini Khaitan Agarwala might have taken a sabbatical but she was never really off from the realm of fashion. Though on a break, she was an integral part of her husband-run kidswear brand Little Stars and even curated twinning garments for father-son pairs. However, her focus is back on her menswear label Medhavini Menswear, and she is all set to make the men of the city dapper with her classic design aesthetics and craftsmanship. Post the fun-filled shoot with the boys we sat for a tete-a-tete with Medhavini who relaunched her store and curated half a dozen look for Sourav Kothari, Neeraj Surana and Sandeep Vyas. Excerpts:
You are back in the game of fashion after six years. How does it feel?
It feels great. It’s almost 18 years since I started in 2004. I remember starting off with partywear shirts and eventually opening my flagship store in 2007 at Hastings. Then I graduated from shirts to proper Indian wear and Indo-western garments. Around 2013 my husband and I started a kidswear brand and around 2016 I decided to take a sabbatical. Although I took a break, I still got inquiries. Since the kidswear brand was running people would ask me to make twinning garments for father-son, which I did. However, the last six months I have been focussed on restarting my brand. My son is 10 now so I thought it’s the right time. Also, the last two years made people rethink and re-evaluate their choices.
The fashion game for men has changed so much since then…
There’s a huge change. Honestly, in 2004 we didn’t have too many people doing menswear, it only added up post-2007. In terms of demand, people had specific needs back then and now there’s a much larger demand and there are way too many celebrations happening. People are just going all out.
Does that mean you have more creative freedom now?
Honestly speaking, when I started with my party shirts I was doing a lot of florals for metrosexual men, which I think the Calcutta market was still adapting to in comparison to Delhi and Mumbai who were receptive of my designs. Now there’s no difference. Menswear has really come up in a big way.
How are you reinventing yourself in the face of this change and new demand?
I think texturing and detailing are my forte. So, irrespective of whatever is in fashion, what I enjoy doing and what I identify with my clothes will remain the same for me.
What else is the plan for the brand?
I want to focus on the store and the Calcutta market. We are going online as well and Medhavini Menswear will be available in leading multi-designer stores as well.
Pictures: B. Halder
Address: Medhavini Menswear
15 Lake Terrace, 2nd floor Kolkata 700026.
Time: 11am to 7pm (by appointment only)