Kunal Rawal’s creations are ubiquitous in Bollywood celebrity cliques. However, this is not the only testament to his popularity. Known for his functional pieces that showcase experimentation with technology and embroideries, Rawal is—as stated in his Instagram bio—redefining bespoke Indian menswear. In this interview, the designer gives us a glimpse of the collection he will showcase tonight at the FDCI India Couture Week 2022 in association with Lotus Make-up taking place in the city while talking about how the gender-fluid narrative seeps into his brand’s imagery, storytelling, and pieces, his design ethos and how it changed post-COVID, among other things. Excerpts…
1. You started with contemporary Western wear, moved to occasion wear, and later launched a kidswear collection. Fifteen years in the industry... Has your design ethos changed with experiences and time?
We have explored so much in these past 15 years. We got into occasion wear after designing Shahid Kapoor’s wedding outfits. And it came to us naturally and fit well with our design aesthetics. For us, it was another avenue where we could redefine menswear and break the stereotypical moulds around how men should dress. We saw it as an opportunity to portray a different aesthetic as opposed to the maximalist Air India Maharaja style. Luxe minimalism and functionality have truly been at the centre of all our creations. Having said that, we make it a point to have fun with our designs too—whether it is us experimenting with technology or embroideries. Fashion, at the end of the day, is meant to be fun and at Kunal Rawal, we want men to have endless possibilities.
2. You have always tried to dismantle traditional silhouettes by adding sporty aesthetics to it. While 'young India' has been your muse, how easy or difficult was it to be accepted by Indian consumers who are used to a tried-and-tested sartorial formula in menswear?
It has been difficult indeed. These 15 years are also reflective of a journey, which made people accept us in the mainstream. While we have always tried to hit that sweet spot between traditional wear and modern, contemporary wear, it was not easy for us to begin with. Men have always been accompanied by their family, friends, wives, or girlfriends, and everyone has always shared their opinion on what would look good. The man per se and his preference have always been lost in translation. The idea was to empower men to make choices for themselves. Boxy silhouettes and rigid lines have been around forever but for men, comfort and functionality reigns supreme. We married that with our design aesthetic, and over time, we saw our design sensibilities getting accepted more and more.
3. Give us an insight into what this 2022 couture collection will be like in terms of craft, fabric and silhouette.