Here it is – a sneak-peek of what designer Arjun Khanna has to offer at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai at 9:30pm on Sunday, March 24.
Called Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind, the ace men’s wear designer fuses his signature vintage charm with a gritty edge. There is an underlying influence of “bicycle style” is his pieces, inspired by everything from the messenger boys of the 1940’s to modern day BMX bikes. The infiltration of bicycle culture internationally – specifically the urban cycling aesthetic of cities like Paris, London and New York – has inspired the retro-meets-industrial visual of his narrative.
Tell us a bit about the collection.
Arjun: Apart from my signature bandhgalas, I’ve put together a collection of cropped jackets, three-piece layers and waistcoats with military influences. Some of the models will also wear fuss-free plus fours styled to adapt to relaxed day wear and give it a certain athletic look. A lot of what you see on the ramp will be one-off vintage treasures and single pieces with no repeats.
Your shows are known to be high on drama. What are the props you will use this time around?
Arjun: I’ve delved into my own collection of vintage bomber jackets, Bowler hats, bags, suspenders, bow-ties and props like bicycles, cameras and sunglasses which I’ve collected over the years. I want to use these artifacts to represent an era when these accessories epitomized the height of elegant dressing.
And what about the colours and fabrics you have worked on for this season?
Arjun: The colour story will be of muted neutrals with bursts of neon. as for the fabrics, I have used rich grade linens and cottons, English tweeds and matka silks, highlighted with interesting textures such as English plaid.
Flashback:
Back in 2008, actress Kim Sharma was Arjun’s show-stopper and emerged onto the ramp in a mini skirt and apron with thigh-high white boots, and seductively eating an ice-cream cone.
Wonder who his show-stopper will be this year?