New Delhi, Aug 27 (IANS) Narendra Kumar made up for the delay in the opening show at the second edition of the Van Heusen India Men’s Week (VHIMW) Friday with his thrilling Samurai inspired collection that the designer says celebrates his 10 years in the industry.
A blend of Indian and Japanese culture, the collection inspired from Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Shadow Warrior’, commenced and concluded with a traditional bow from six Japanese men.
‘This collection celebrates 10 years of Narendra Kumar. It was time for us to change the aesthetics and direction of men’s clothing and propose a new kind of style. This was trying to bring Japan and India together and do it for the Indian male,’ Narri, as he is fondly called, said after the show.
‘The theme is inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Kagemusha’ (‘Shadow Warrior’). This is just an initial introduction to Japan. The collection reflects the confidence men reflect in their clothing,’ said the designer, who was seen giving his signature hat a miss at the event.
He looked cool in a t-shirt, jeans, jacket and sunglasses.
The collection boasted of a metallic monotone mix of baggy Hakamas (traditional Japanese pyjamas) and slim pants, short and slim jackets with embroidery as well as drapes and traditional Japanese flares.
The runaway was flooded with 34 looks of the Samurai warrior with ‘lots of silhouettes’ and traditional Japanese wooden chappals.
Soaked in organic colours derived from flowers like marigold and trifala – hand dyed by slum dwellers from Mumbai – the fabric for the line included linen, silk linen, wool and natural fabric made from plants.
‘The palette is Japanese and is all of a dark warrior. The metallic colours reflect the shine of a Samurai’s armour. It wouldn’t have happened if I had not gone on a holiday to Japan in July. The collection is from India to Japan with love,’ said Narri’
Asked if he was disappointed by the delay in the start of the event, he said: ‘I am not disappointed by delays. These things happen. What matters most was it was done.’
The show got delayed for almost one-and-a-half hour after a part of the lighting infrastructure over the runway in the main show area came off just when the show was about to start.
‘The nuts of the pillar on which one of the lights were attached came off. Luckily it didn’t came off during the show otherwise there would have been a huge problem,’ said an official.
