If womenswear is the eldest sibling, then menswear is the neglected middle child left to fend for itself in the exceedingly crammed arena of wedding shopping. The bandhgalas & sherwanis are trapped under the weighty & blinding lehengas, rummaged through when grooms & their wardrobes finally get their due, mere weeks before the wedding. A sharp contrast for the bride’s wedding trousseau and outfits which involve budgets akin to the GDP of a small country, an entourage to put together the look and bookings that run months in advance.
Despite the spotty attention, certain designers have discerned the relevance of high-quality menswear in the Indian market. With a focus on craftsmanship & innovation as a potent front, their beguiling collections are one to check out.
Nivedita Saboo
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Sharp & suave, this Nivedita Saboo Couture bandhgala with meticulously sewn panels is timeless in its making. Ideal for the no frills groom – one who gravitates towards tradition whilst embracing contemporary subtleties.
Shantnu & Nikhil
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Fresh out of Shantanu & Nikhil’s Haute Couture 2022 collection titled Capella, the all black menswear ensemble finds inspiration in the namesake shining star. It simultaneously pays an homage to the resplendence of the Baroque era which is seamlessly reflected in the silhouette selection by the designers.
Qbik
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Fiza by Qbik’s elevated classics unravel the magic of craftsmanship with proficient tailoring. Inspired by Kashmir’s flower gardens, the zardosi doused collection boasts of luxuriant pashmina & matka silks, making the Delhi based label a worthy proponent of your bookmarking strategy.
Payal Singhal
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Rekindling designer Payal Singhal’s own love for painting, her festive 2022 collection ‘Painterly’ features an array of kurta sets ranging from achromatic hues to pastel concoctions. Adorned with brush stroke-like surface prints on the fabric as a whole, this easy-breezy offering is the ideal sangeet, haldi or mehendi ensemble.
Shivan & Narresh
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It’s news to no one, that the resort-wear magnates are equally impressive when battling the festive wear front. Lensed here is the Vermillion Ripplet Stripe-Knit Kurta by Shivan & Narresh which utilizes a unique form of abstract paneling and placement of glass beads which gives an illusion of a dissected gemstone. Simple but significant.
Mishru
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Having showcased at the recently concluded Lakmé Fashion Week, Mishru’s menswear explorations yield a positive response aesthetic-wise. Adept at balancing the scales of glamour and functionality, their embellished jackets & coordinating kurtas will have friends fawning over you. Cousins too, maybe.
Abhishti
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Nothing like revisiting the allure of the good ol’ Banarasi silk, graced with a modernized spin. With newer cut & forms, Abhisti’s festive menswear delves into traditional waters with its chinese collared jackets, drawstring sightings & interesting lapel placements. Old world charm that is tailored to today’s demands.
Shyamal & Bhumika
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Named ‘Blooms of Paradise,’ Shyamal & Bhumika’s successful tryst with menswear comes bearing beautiful surprises. With well-fitting jackets, cowl kurtas & suave bandhgalas, the romanticism in their collections evoke the mushy giddy feeling of a matrimonial union. Wedding shopping is now sorted, we reckon.
Also Read: 6 Indian Streetwear Labels With Androgyny At Their Core
