“My inspiration was me,” says fashion designer Nikhil Thampi with a laugh, on his first full-fledged foray into menswear. His capsule collection, featuring a range of jackets of varying lengths from robe jackets to waistcoats, was showcased at a fashion event in Mumbai earlier this week, and will be in stores soon. Called Connect, it marks a departure for the designer who has been primarily known for his women’s wear over the last six years.
Thampi’s designs have enjoyed tremendous success with his western wear having been patronised by several leading Bollywood stars like Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma and Kangana Ranaut. He had dabbled in menswear in 2011, experimenting with a cowl kurta, which wasn’t received too well. Now, the designer believes that there is a change in perception about menswear, with Indian men more open to deviating from classic silhouettes and experimenting with draped looks. “We tend to focus on Indian festive wear,” he says, “but I have tried to be edgy and forward with western silhouettes. Globally, we see street-style influences trending, with longer lengths, which I have incorporated in my collection.”
The capsule collection features about eight looks that are driven by lengths. While one robe jacket is floor-length, the others are either above the knee or below. Thampi was keen to keep his approach modern, to ensure the jackets would work both for a formal as well as a casual look. He has stuck to his trademark colour palette — neutrals, blacks, nudes and navy blue — and has also incorporated colour blocking.
ADVERTISEMENT
Metal chips have been a signature element of Thampi’s designs, something he showcased in his Quantum women’s wear collection as well, at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2016. Here, too, hardware plays an important role, showing up in the detailing of the lapel, cuffs or slashes in the sleeve.
His aim with the collection was to keep the look as versatile as possible: a single jacket can be paired with jeans and a T-shirt for a casual look, and then with tapered pants for a more formal event. From the consumer’s perspective, therefore, each piece is value for money.
“These jackets are an extension of my personality,” Thampi says, “they are something I would wear.” Coming up, he promises, is something quirky with Indian wear and a focus oon prints the classic silhouette.
ADVERTISEMENT
The collection will be priced between ₹ 30,000 to ₹ 60,000 and will be available online at azafashions.com and perniaspopupshop.com.