Face Off

And this successful Delhi designer must be married?

quot;No,quot; he says firmly, but does not elaborate.

Okay, so we get the message he does not want to talk about his personal life. Fine. But what brings this Delhiite to this town?

Well, Ravi is well known for his western designs 8212; which he has been doing for over 10 years. Now, he intends to go ethnic.

The king of western wear going Indian?

Sort of. As he will now be designing saris but not salwar kameezes.

Why not the salwar kameez? After all, isn8217;t it Delhi8217;s favourite outfit?

quot;I have no feel for them. Some people look nice in a salwar but for others it is just an escape route. You can go from a size 10 to size 14 and not have to worry about it in a salwar.quot; But the sari, on the other hand, is the ultimate in ethic wear, according to this designer.

But all the Delhi designers are doing saris, so, what can he do that is new?

quot;My fabric will be differentand my designs understated. I will use non-sari fabrics like silk with viscose. The sari is all about fabric.quot;

But how many women who wear designer clothes go in for the understated look?

quot;Not many. But my designs will be for the woman who usually does not wear the sari but finds that on certain occasions she has to drape a sari.quot;

Does this mean Ravi is passionate about getting women into a sari?

quot;Yes and no.quot; There are also economic reasons for Ravi moving into the world of saris. quot;A sari just folds away and does not take up place in a shop. And just as it is easy to stock a sari, it is also easier to market. Unlike the market for western wear which is limited.quot;

So he is giving up western wear?

No. He still has his pret line Raviver8217; for which he uses Indian fabrics. For his signature label, he uses mostly imported fabrics, just as he will for his new range of saris.

Imported fabrics that must mean he will be expensive.

quot;My range will start at Rs 8,000.quot; Aprice tag that Ravi does not consider too expensive for his specially-developed fabrics.

And will he do brides?

quot;If they do not mind the understated look.quot; Though he is fairly apprehensive about doing trousseaus. quot;I do not have the temperament.quot; He also believes that one-to-one business does not make you as much money as pret.

What about exclusive Ravi Bajaj shops? He used to have one here and two in Delhi, but now only one in Delhi is open is that a sign of bad times?

quot;There were no retail outlets for my clothes so I set up my own. But things have changed now. Now, I make a collection and invite Ogaan and Ensemble to a show. They then place an order. I only make clothes that are already sold.quot;

But Ravi is known to be a spender too. His fashion shows are among the most elaborate in the trade. Does he enjoy big, fancy dos?

quot;I never attend big weddings even if it is a client8217;s. I do not give a damn. I have major political opinions on the subject of Over The Top weddings.Shows are different. That8217;s public relations.quot;

But what about the money he spends per show. One time, he had the linen specially dyed. And then, his shows are always followed by swanky sit-down dinners?

quot;Only my clients and selected press members are invited. And only one of my parents attend the dinner as I never have space for more than one.quot; It seems Ravi is always looking for a way to keep costs down.

What about himself? Does he spend a lot on his clothes?

Obviously Ravi thinks he is a very chic dresser. quot;I mostly wear Ravi Bajaj as that8217;s all I can afford.quot;

And what else is there to Ravi 8212; other than business and design?

quot;I love to watch films and sport.quot; And according to this designer, Bollywood8217;s chicest actor is Jackie Shroff.

And what is this designer of the understated most likely to say?

quot;It is ugly.quot;

And least likely to say?

quot;It is chic.quot;