SUKET DHIR, 36, DELHI

Weaving narratives into versatile clothes, delicate menswear, quirky silhouettes

USP

I grew up in a small town Banga, Punjab. My grandfather, a philanthropist, was a leading cloth merchant in the Doaba region of Punjab. I wasn’t very good in academics and a friend’s suggestion landed me at NIFT, Delhi. I launched my brand in 2010, I have been an outsider in the industry and didn’t have many contacts but I was sure about what I wanted to design and that had to evolve organically. I wanted to do something new, a delicate take on menswear which would define it in terms of lifestyle, quirk and elegance. My work is about longevity, agelessness and timeless fashion with no boundaries. Luxury is not always about bling. I aim to bring the element of luxury to my product with old school tailoring.

Muse

My surroundings, old school values, mood and instincts. I used parrots as motifs inspired by walks I took with my grandfather in mango orchards. My grandfather’s dressing sense had an impact on the patterns I work with. He used to wear tailored jackets and carried umbrellas. I used that as a motif in one of my collections. I use eco-friendly fabric like cotton, silk, mulmul, linen, bamboo and wool that add exclusivity to my work. Handcrafted fabric talks to me more than the mechanised version. I design keeping my personal aesthetics in mind. Nehru jackets, loose silhouettes in pants, fabric that evolves with the wearer’s identity and the seasons.

Favourite Designers

Shahab Durazi for his textures and simple yet modern appeal.

What’s Next?

To recontextualise our craft and heritage on a global scale.

Price Range and Retail

`4,800-on request, suketdhir.com, Good Earth, Benaras at ION Orchard, Singapore, Pernia’s Pop Up Shop