HYDERABAD: A fashion designer, costume designer and stylist to cinestars, Aki Narula, known for promoting mostly street style, says he enjoys to take challenges when it comes to creativity.
“I’m one of those people who likes to do different things. I like being challenged creatively. I am doing a lot of films and styling right now. You will see something from my label by next year for sure. I like donning different hats of creativity and it’s fun,” said Narula.
Having worked as a costume designer for films like Bunty Aur Babli and Kill Dil, he is now looking forward to the release of Imtiaz Ali’s next titled Tamasha.
“I’ve just completed Tamasha. All of last year went in Tamasha and it is looking fantastic. I can talk about it from September onwards. You will see the mad Aki touch. You will see a lot of Tamasha from both (he and Ali) of us,” said Narula, who has worked with Ali in films like Rockstar and Highway.
That’s not all. He will be “announcing something by July” too. But before that, he is looking forward to a holiday and to do what he loves - travel.
“I will take a month off. I haven’t taken a break since February last year, that includes Christmas and New Year. I am just going to travel alone in Europe. I haven’t picked a destination. I will start from France and then let’s see where it takes me. There will be lot of travelling alone this time, a lot of thinking, giving time to myself and then I will come back fresh by end of June to start a new movie project in July,” he said.
The designer, who often gets inspired by street fashion, says he likes how people of northeast India dress up.
“As far as India is concerned, for me it is the northeast that the coolest. I am very partial towards Shillong (Meghalaya). There is a lot of fun and personality that comes out in the way kids dress up. Internationally, I think nothing can beat Tokyo. It is quirky, very fresh and there is a bit of personality in whatever everyone wears. It is not just about brands. It is about how people style themselves,” he said.
After styling for stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Narula wants to design for children.
“I would love to do a full-on kids films because the way children react to colour, nobody does. It is innocent, vulnerable and fresh,” he said.
He also promises to be back on the ramp as a designer.“I started my career with fashion and showcased my work for the first time in a fashion week in 2000. I have taken a break from that because movies and travelling consume a lot of time. I don’t think I quit fashion or the industry, I still style for Lakme India Fashion Week. I am more behind the scene, but you will see me right up there very soon,” he said.