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A designer with an eye for detail

Fond of Hollywood films from his childhood, ace fashion designer Ravi Bajaj has not only carved for himself a niche as a designer but also launched a restaurant in Delhi, says Madhur Tankha... .

In the ramp world, he has earned for himself the sobriquet of `Sultan of Subtlety'. But then fashion designer Ravi Bajaj wants to be recognised for his craft and eye for detailing.

Remembering his nostalgic school days as a Delhi Public School Mathura Road student, Ravi says he used to watch Hollywood films for entertainment and got influenced by pop and style fashion statements. "I had a fascination for Hollywood films and superstar John Travolta used to be then a top star. Hollywood films had a deep impact on my life. I got all the exposure needed to become a student of fashion. By the way, the late Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn and pop singer George Michael are also style icons," he adds. Ravi went to the United Kingdom for further studies. "After completing my studies in London, I came back to India in 1987 and launched my own Ravi Bajaj label. It was the first time that somebody had done so. I started with mere three machines but that was all I could afford those days."

Ravi says: "Over the years, there have been a lot of changes in fashion. As far as fashion weeks are concerned, they are good launching pads for budding designers. But I am not in favour of participating in either Lakme India Fashion Week or Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week because the whole world is now coming to India. Moreover, I am catering to domestic clients and not looking at exports." Even though Ravi has a large non-resident Indian clientele, he doesn't incorporate changes according to the whims and fancies of his clients. "I do make changes in my dresses but that is for the entire market and not certain types of customers.''

Accepting the fact that a couple of designers are calling the shots in the tinsel town, Ravi says there is a big difference between costume designing and fashion designing. "All over the world, fashion designers do not design costumes. I design a collection and costume designing is not my area of expertise."

Revealing that he has got 100 karigars working for him, Ravi says they do all the hand embroidery work for him. "At my store here, my clientele comes all the way from Chandigarh, Nagpur and other places. Ultimately, I want to replicate this formula in terms of opening new stores in other cities. In the North there is more inclination towards spending than the South. So, I will start with Northern cities." After meticulous research of the glorious Indian heritage, Ravi Bajaj selects some of the eternal and time-tested silhouettes and embroidery techniques from the country, giving them a new identity with submerged embroidery. Classical forms too are studied and reproduced as in the churidars that feature in Mughal miniatures.

After carving a niche for himself in the country's fashion scene, Ravi launched a restaurant on the top floor of his shop in Greater Kailash, offering the "real coffee experience". "Both food and fashion are creative things," he reasons.

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