“We know what women want,” avers designer Deepak Bhartia, referring to sartorial sensibilities. “But men’s fashion,” he continues, “is a tough terrain. Men are still wary of experimenting with their wardrobe.”
Trader turned couturier Bhartia, is challenging that notion by creating festive and formal wear for men with opulent fabric, new age cuts and prints with his label Deepak & Madhu. The one-and-half-year-old label operating out of Kankurgachi is for the millennial man who scripts new trend stories by adding vibrant prints and colours to his fashion statement without being bogged down by the stated rules for men’s fashion.
A material in bright yellow with beautiful floral prints, easily associated with women’s summer silhouette, caught our attention and we were informed that it was chosen by a customer an hour ago for a tuxedo before we stepped in his 1500 sq ft studio. Actor Ranveer Singh’s image conjured up instantly when the 37-year-old designer talked about matching darker shades of pants and shirt with it. His collection of bespoke tuxedo stands out for its prints and another similar piece with big floral prints on white, teamed with wine colour shirt and trousers make for a dashing statement. His blazers too have an edgy character, for instance, an olive green piece with embellishments on the shoulders. A couple of printed blazers also offers some dapper option. One particular ink blue blazer with zardosi and thread embroidery caught our attention and makes for a great pick for weddings. On a tamer side, we loved a mustard yellow blazer in checks that had splits on the sleeves with navy blue inlay. It was worn by actor Raj Chakraborty at the premiere of Shesh Theke Shuru, informed Deepak who doesn’t have any formal training in the subject. He says, “I was always creatively bent. While I was in my dad’s business, that lack of creative contentment bothered me, so one day I decided to give a shot to designing and started off with just one rack. I have learned on the job. In fact, my customers have taught me a lot.” Deepak is supported by wife Madhu.
Rs 6000 onwards