Politically Different

Put together by trio Pankaj Vashisht,Gopal Sharma and Puneet Khanna,fashion promoters — who divide their time between Chandigarh and Milan,the exhibition offered both men’s and women’s apparel and accessories by internationally-known luxury labels like Dolce and Gabbana,Tru Jeans and Gianfranco Ferre at discounted prices.

As Surjewala admired a collection of suits and men’s shirts by the Italian luxury label Trussardi,we asked him if he is label conscious. “I am not so much into brands. In fact,what I am wearing today is tailored. I chose the fabric myself,” says the minister who points out that his friends like Sharma,fill him in on the latest in fashion. The two were friends during their days in DAV College,Sector 10. “Back then we would sport torn jeans,long locks and a stubble,” says Surjewala.

It may be hard to imagine the head-turner Surjewala,with his understated and elegant style of dressing,in a roughed up avatar. Reminiscing about his college days Surjewala said,“We would buy jeans and rub them on the walls of the hostel to get a distressed,worn-out look. I am happy to see that it’s back in fashion.” The minister has junked his college jeans and understandably so.

Now,the politician Surjewala is often spotted wearing Fabindia-ish kurtas and bespoke jackets and he’s quite a trendsetter when it comes to the Nehru jacket. While most his ilk prefer to step out in dhobhi -white-starched-to-crispness kurta-pyjamas teamed with a bandhgala ,Surjewala has always worn his Nehru jackets over shirts,paired with trousers and jeans. “For me,fashion is very individualistic. You should keep in mind your personality when dressing up. I always keep in mind the occasion before I sport any outfit,” remarked Surjewala. And for this event,he surely dressed the part.