Urban street styles, cultural diversity and personal narratives converge to form the audacious new collection by fashion designer Shahin Mannan. Called Unapologetic, it rallies for self-expression that is raw and uninhibited, “one that requires courage, the kind that is sometimes hard to build given circumstantial roadblocks, but once you step on to the other side, what lies is a lifetime of fulfilment and the promise of incredible growth”.
The first piece she conceived as an ode to her ideas of heterodoxy was the oversized jacket with an asymmetric skirt. “It’s a declaration of nonconformity. It embodies the kind of confidence I’ve built over the years with fearless conviction in myself. The exaggerated silhouette with its playful asymmetry brings out two important sides to my personality: willingness to stand out from the crowd, and being fun and goofy,” says the designer. The ‘I am me’ overcoat paired with baggy pants is another piece where the assertion of individuality is rampant. The ‘text flap’ blazer with a circular skirt is daring yet inspiring in its storytelling. The ‘believe-in-yourself’ jacket with baggy pants reinforces her thoughts on liberation and self-assuredness. The sunflower baggy pants paired with a denim vest, on the other hand, are whimsical and bohemian. “You’ll see a lot of denim, cotton blends and textured materials in a colour story comprising grey, black, mustard yellow and ivory, each selected to supplement the larger idea of the collection,” she says.
In the creative sphere of designing clothes, Mannan often finds herself grappling with the pervasive misconception that fashion can be boxed into notions and standards of popularity. “Fashion is not a monolithic entity; what’s appealing for one may be irrelevant for another, so there is no fixed definition of what’s popular. Therefore, I see fashion as a mosaic of myriad expressions of individuality with each voice equally relevant,” she says.
If there is one person according to her who personifies this unapologetic streak, it’s actor Jackie Chan. “Known for multi-faceted styling choices, be it his refined taste in athleisure, his penchant for long sleeves, or even the cool bomber jackets he sports, each reflects his love for neo-Chinese or modern-oriental aesthetic,” says the designer, who is determined to give sartorial narratives a similar autonomous identity.
Availability: Shahinmannan.com