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Designers Shantanu and Nikhil on completing a decade in Indian fashion
Both Nikhil and I dont follow any fashion trends,or read any books pertaining to it. We have almost stopped caring about what people think. We would rather chart our own course than follow set rules, says Shantanu Mehra of the designer label Shantanu and Nikhil,as he swivels his glass of red at the Olive restaurant in New Delhi. The usually reticent Shantanu,the elder of the two brothers,probably has a point. Its been 10 years since the duo launched their label in 1999,and over the years it has come to be known as much for its edgy outfits,as for the catwalk theatrics. (They were the first to send a posse of young cricketers,including Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh,stomping down the ramp in 2005,and followed it up with tennis legend Serena Williams in 2008.) Our creations are feminine,yes,but with a touch of severity, continues Shantanu,even as the first guest drops in at the evenings celebration for their decade in fashion.
Almost on cue,actor Abhay Deol walks in at the party,dressed in a basic black Shantanu and Nikhil jacket,accompanied by a pretty Mumbai-based model,former Miss Great Britain 2006,Preeti Desai. I like to keep my clothes simple,and I love the kind of work these two have been doing, he mouths,before heading for the bar,even as Desai chats up Nikhils wife Vidushi,looking pretty in red. Inside the bar,socialites Simar Dugal,striking in a white shirt with cape shoulders,and Ayesha Thapar,demure in black are having an animated conversation,even as restaurateurs Shiv Karan Singh and Sohrab Sitaram nurse their drinks.
Bollywood,Nikhil,is quick to point out,is far from being the final destination. They have recently got in to corporate merchandising,cranking out pens,laptop bags and wine sets. The two have also just tied up with sporting brand Adidas and will soon be churning out apparel,bags and shoes for the brand. Theres a new line to be made every month,over and above their seasonal collections. The pressure has undoubtedly increased, signs off Nikhil.
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