Dressed for the occasion

ISSUE: 137

Kunal Rawal believes in offering his clients a choice of nonconformist and multi-functional ethnic wear with global appeal

How does your cultural background impact your design language?

KR: While fashion is moving towards becoming more acceptable and individualistic, today’s customers are always looking for designs that stand out and look more personal and unique. Taking a rather non-conformist and multifunctional approach to fashion, my designs revolve around creating ethnic wear for the modern Indian man, which is deeply rooted in the Indian culture but also has global appeal.

What is your favourite part of styling celebrities?

KR: I believe it starts with understanding their personality and then applying my aesthetic to their style and also catering to their requirements in the process. The best part for me is to incorporate each person’s style and curate looks that cater to their individual styles. I have worked with several Bollywood celebrities including Anil Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Siddharth Malhotra, and Varun Dhawan. I have also collaborated with Salman khan’s clothing brand ‘being human’.

How do you see the post-pandemic fashion industry in India?

KR: While the pandemic created a major shift in the fashion industry, it also made people rethink a lot of their choices. Post-pandemic, menswear is taking a whole new direction with versatility and functionality becoming the pillars of design. They are now looking for pieces that have multiple purposes and can be reused and restyled for different occasions but are also exquisite at the same time. Comfort is another element that has become a priority for us, and it is something that will be difficult to relinquish in the near future as well. Elevated pieces with intricate detailing and flexibility in design will be a mainstay for this year.

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