Festive Fashion for the Style Conscious Man by Manoviraj Khosla
Our city is creating a significant impression on the global fashion map; from classic to experimental and cutting edge, designers in Bangalore have something for every man.
One in particular is eminent fashion designer, Manoviraj Khosla, whose edgy creations have been seen on elitist trendsetters and celebrities alike. A graduate of the American college in London, Khosla’s fashion sense is dictated by flamboyance and exclusivity, as seen on his menswear and womenswear designs, in addition to his snazzy range of footwear.
Located at the Collonade, Leela Palace Bangalore, Khosla’s flagship store covers an area of 1,400 sq ft and features a 12 feet high industrial ceiling. The décor is a brilliant intermingling of bravura and sophistication, where mid-century furniture and colonial cabinetry add an eclectic ambience to the sensuous style of the store.
Manoviraj Khosla talks fondly about his passion for fashion, “I have always harboured a great love for clothes. With my mother possessing an amazing sense of design, it seems like the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. She has been my inspiration and has helped me find success in my career choice.”
Innovative and experimental designs are emblematic of the clothes designed by Khosla. In exploring inventive techniques like texturising along with stitch detailing and pleating in checks, stripes, and solid colours, Khosla puts forward his passion to reinvent clothing in his designs. Like he says, “A dinner jacket should not restrict your sense of design by limiting the way it can be worn. Apart from being great formal wear, it can be tried on shorts or jeans too. The jacket is certainly the new shirt.”
In addition to leather jackets, bandhgalas are a great addition to the wardrobe according to Khosla. You will notice a lot of gorgeous colours like purple, chocolate, noir, and matte-gold being used for the bandhgalas designed by him for this festive season.
Khosla explains that fashion in the country has stepped up in recent years and the fashion space for men has gained a lot of momentum. He finds this to be extremely interesting and hopes that men will continue to find clothes to be a brilliant way to express themselves.
Show off your ethnic-dapper side and look your best during the upcoming festivities with the help of these fashion tips:
1. The Bandhgala
Fireworks, marvellous dinners, and a party that extends well into the night; if you are planning an upscale evening, then a tuxedo will never let you down. But if you really wish to make an impression, choose a Bandhgala instead. The Manoviraj Khosla Bandhgalas are impossibly extravagant, and hard to beat.
Make it contemporary by going bespoke, and choosing a slim silhouette. Darker shades take prominence and the festival season calls for a touch of royalty i.e. the glamorous velvet with detailed embroidery for a suave and trendy look. Pair it with well-fitted trousers and brogues to make heads turn.
{Blue Velvet Zari Crest Bandhgala}
{Suede Black Laser-cut Bandhgala}
2. The Statement Jacket
Jackets have certainly made an entrance this season, but I’m not alluding to the regular coats and suits. Add some lustre to the festival of lights with a snazzy jacket ~ I am referring to the flamboyance achieved through the use of rich brocades and embellishment. Try the Nehru jacket; a well-cut sleeveless jacket that will amp up your look.
{Green Printed Brocade Bandi worn over Black Cotton Jodhpuri Pants}
{Black Velvet Purple Lazer Bandhgala}
{The power of a statement jacket can never be overemphasised. A fitted and sharply tailored jacket is to men what a little black dress is to women ~ dependable, versatile and timeless.}
3. Stride in Jodhpuri Pants
Symbolic of timeless fashion, Jodhpuri pants are a perfect fit for the festive occasion, especially over all-Indian attire; and a nice pair of Jodhpuris can help you stay comfortable through a long night of partying. You can mix and match with various styles, e.g. pair with short kurtas or ethnic jackets to flaunt the Jodhpuri pleats.
{Red Printed Silk Bandi worn over White Poly Jodhpuri Pants}
{Purple Velvet Jacket}
4. The Printed Kurta
The comfortable and stylish kurta ~ a style staple that has remained persistent through decades of festive fashion and is in fact reinvented each season. With the crisp collar, long sleeves, and straight-cuts, long kurtas resonate a sophisticated yet comfortable vibe. With a little formality being required for Diwali, opt for a printed or embroidered kurta to truly look the part. You could even try a printed shirt. Muted tones like black or off-white will showcase the print/embroidery really well, but if you do not mind an audacious look then pick a boldly bright colour.
{Purple Screen-printed Silk Kurta Set}
{Screen Printed Cotton Shirt worn over Pink Linen Trousers}
{There is a strong undercurrent of bright shades throughout menswear this season. And, it’s much more than a pair of salmon pink trousers or a printed button-down shirt. The catwalks are awash with hot, shocking, in your face colours!}
Simple and easy to incorporate, choose any of these time-tested styles for this festive season to look unmistakably awesome!
BTS 🙂
Model: Bunty Rana
Wardrobe: Manoviraj Khosla
Styling & Direction: Tanya Dhar
Venue Partner: The Collonnade at Leela Palace, Bangalore
Disclaimer: This blog post has been brought to you in collaboration with Manoviraj Khosla. As always all opinions and photos are my own.