What are the nuances a man needs to watch out for before buying a suit?
First, it should follow the shape of his back — that will help hold it well. Second, the drape of the sleeve should be a nice fit and there should be a good balance on the shoulder. All of these elements can be found in veteran fashion designer Narendra Kumar (fondly known as Nari)'s collection of suits, some of which are currently on offer at P.N. Rao outlets across Bangalore.
Needless to say, he has dressed many celebrities, Bollywood actors and models. His creations are known to be unique. So unique that they have been copied by other designers and local tailors even. The Narendra Kumar Classic Tuxedo, for example, has been copied rampantly. “I created this collection eight years ago and every brand, national and international, has passed it off as their own. One can copy the style, but the technique is original,” says Nari, without a hint of anger, just slight indignation.
Nari's collection of suits, available as part of P.N. Rao's Suitopia Collection, comes in a range of styles and fabrics. “I have used silk linen, brocades, polywools etc. for this line. Suitopia is a festival of suits for all occasions. I have designed outfits for weddings, cocktails and even general sport. P.N. Rao has always offered men's wear that is in step with the latest trends.”
A man of few words, Nari lets his creations do the talking. He displays a light green brocade sherwani: and explains the thought that went into designing it.
“Often, a sherwani is teamed with a scarf. But the scarf gets difficult to manage. To avoid that, I have merged the Sherwani with a scarf, which avoids the need for having a separate scarf along with the Sherwani. I have tailored it in such a way that it is cut like a jacket, it's called the draped sherwani.”
Everything about Nari, from his clothes to his attitude, drips elegance. His personal style statement shows that being fashionable is not beyond men.
“When people say fashion, they think it's an outlandish concept, that fashionable clothes are un-wearable. But it really is about being well-turned out; the clothes should have good cuts. It is about creating an interest in the idea of wearing a layer on you.” He adds: “The general Indian man is much more evolved and he is willing to look beyond the basics. They do try out something different. Though, I would suggest that it is better to experiment with cuts within what is available.”
A lot of research goes behind his creations. “Not much is known about the tuxedo in India. In the west, however, the tuxedo is considered glamorous. But when a man wears a tuxedo, he will feel like a film star.”
When asked to define his creative style, Nari sums it up in a word: “eclectic”.
