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Guru of patterns
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A tête-à-tête on films, fringe and `future fashion' with Nikhil
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Nikhil with Sharon Amir - Photo: K. Gajendran
DESIGNERS NIKHIL and Shantanu have had their share of limelight . Be it for their haute line for our men in blue in the much talked about Samsung sequence or the Krishna Mehta controversy from LIFW, when Mehta was said to have used an ensemble from the duo's earlier line in her collection. "It was unfortunate. But I took it as a complement," says Nikhil, who was in town recently to display his club wear line replete with his design philosophy — freedom of speech for fashion, innovation and fringe ideas.
If LIFW 2003 got him accolades for his predominantly stripes collection, again, the theme for 2004 had audience with moist eyes for the clothes inspired by the The Last Supper, depicted aggression, sadness and torture."We worked with ancient fabrics such as wool with dyed effect, Victorian silk, antique rayon and handmade fabrics for strength and chiffons and georgettes for the volume. In those days, in Jerusalem nothing was stitched."
Fashion marketing
Nikhil, who holds a FIDM degree from LA, has worked with Mario, head pattern maker for Versace. Shantanu, an MBA from University of Toledo, Ohio, is the business side of the pair. "Fashion is no longer mere designing these days. You need to look at the marketing, accessibly and availability," says Nikhil. Currently retailing with Be:, Nikhil realises the importance of corporate backing for designers. He also happens to be a board member LIFW. "We have the best people, best fabrics and quality here. International designers are inspired by India. LIFW is a forum created for interaction. It is already happening, what with Selfridges and Browns coming over for the event as buyers,"says Nikhil.
And now after designing ball gowns for Hollywood directors for the Academy Awards, Nilkhil is working on giving Manoj Bajpai a Greek god look for his forthcoming flick Fareb. "He plays a marketing guru. You will see a different Manoj Bajpai, not like the guy you saw in Shool and Kaun. Also I have done the lines for Roshni Chopra in Lets Enjoy. The film is about the 25 year olds, the emerging age group today. Women are very confident today; I see a lot of expression, statement they create through their clothes. When I say that, I see a lot of experimentation happening in India," he says.
And `future fashion' that his work is often referred to as, `diversity in culture can make India world leaders of fashion. We have to work harder in coming years," he sums up.
SYEDA FARIDA
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