Congratulations! Styling Chris Gayle must be a dream opportunity for you. How did it happen?
I just shifted to Bombay from Calcutta a few months back and Rudradeep da (Banerjee) of Second Innings Sports and Entertainment, who manages Chris Gayle, got in touch with me. They had worked with me earlier. They showed him my profile and he agreed to work with me.
What was it like meeting Gayle for the first time?
When I first entered the room and saw Chris Gayle standing there I couldn’t speak for a good five-10 minutes in front of him but then he is the most humble person I have worked with. I was blown out.
How do you look at his style from the stylist's lens?
I think his sense of style is very flamboyant. He can carry any outfit effortlessly. I have given him prints that many people would not be able to carry but he could. He keeps sitting and standing for long hours, so I have to keep his comfort in mind. We had to get all the outfits customised. But he trusts me. He allowed me to go for the prints I wanted to. Every style I think for him, I run by him. But his trust means a lot to me.
How did your journey as a stylist start?
I was passionate about designing and styling since childhood. I used to go with my mother to tailoring shops as a kid and give suggestions for my outfits. I started styling in 2018 as a freelancer in Bombay. I was doing it alongside my corporate job. This passion has always been there with me. When we moved to Calcutta in 2019, I decided to quit my career and get into styling full-time. Unfortunately, the lockdown happened. I did my research during that time. I had my own tailor and I was designing outfits. But once things started opening up, since I did a handful of projects in Bombay already people started contacting me.
What does styling mean to you?
Styling is something that has my heart and my soul. When I was in the corporate field, I used to work for eight-nine hours max and get out. But when I got into styling it started taking the maximum time of my day. I work for 12-14 hours but I never get irritated. So, styling has been the most important thing for me.
What is your styling aesthetic?
I believe in keeping it minimalistic, comfortable and stylish at the same time. I have two ways. When I am styling as a personal stylist I keep comfort and choice in mind. But when I am styling a shoot, I keep themes in mind. Sometimes if the shoot demands it, I go overboard. But for personal styling, I follow chic, stylish, comfortable.
After doing a lot of colours and summer prints for a few looks, I suggested Gayle to try a classy and subtle look in a classic colour palette and Gayle loved the idea. So, I styled him in this blazer style from Desire Design studio from Delhi.
I gave him a casual and comfy look with this printed T-shirt and sneakers for this look. The cap and shades matched his vibe.
This look is from NM Design Studio. Gayle wanted to pair a floral shirt with his pair of chinos, so I got him this, colour coordinating with the chinos.
How does a stylist help in shaping someone's personality?
I think the stylist has a very important role to play. Many people don’t know what looks good on them. They see clothes on others and think it will look good on them. But it may look good on A but not on B. That is where the stylist comes in. There are people who know fashion but there is this extra thing that the stylist brings to the table. To give someone a new look or help them discover their style is very exciting for me.
Which was your first big break as a stylist?
In Calcutta, my big break was styling Priyanka Sarkar. She is one person who helped me a lot. So, I will always be super grateful to her because she trusted me and gave me the liberty to style her in a particular way.
Kolkata or Mumbai?
Kolkata is my hometown. I have spent most of my time here but the way Mumbai is advanced about personal stylists and wardrobe consultants, opportunities-wise I feel Mumbai has multiple opportunities for people in that way. In Calcutta, many people don't understand the concept of styling.
Trends or personality, what matters more while styling?
First the personality. Trends are important but sometimes a trend may not work for someone. It is not necessary to follow trends but if you are stylish you can end up creating your own trend.