It was the year 2000, when brothers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra decided to merge their entrepreneurial and designing skills by launching their eponymous label. In the two decades since, they’ve etched a mark on the contemporary Indian fashion landscape. The Shantanu & Nikhil design aesthetic has always been about the perfect unison between the grandiose of vintage India and the eclectic touches of a modern one.
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To commemorate 20 years in the industry, in 2020, the designer duo launched S&N—a bridge-to-luxury brand—that celebrates its Indian roots, but with a whole lot of millennial chutzpah! The gender-fluid silhouettes—translate high craftsmanship into pieces with functionality, accessibility and scale.
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The designers have always tried to forge an anti-trend path by offering sartorial choices that shatter stereotypes. Apart from their really appealing price points, S&N collections also provide—pieces that can transcend seasons—which have been designed keeping in mind the re-wearability and versatility that millennials look for.
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Earlier this year, the label entered the world of fragrances with Independence EDP for men. The fragrance is a perfect match for someone with a refined taste. Crafted by renowned perfumers in Germany, the scent is a blend of leather, wood and amber notes—encased in a stunning ink-bottle-like case. The couturiers have also collaborated with Obeetee—one of the largest hand-woven carpet companies in the world and the largest in India—to create a limited edition of opulent carpets.
For FDCI INDIA COUTURE WEEK 2021, the designers showcased their ceremonial couture collection—Oasis—perhaps their boldest one yet that’s an ode to—glamour, freedom and workmanship. This edgy range predominantly comprises menswear. The designer duo’s famed draped kurtas for men can now be procured in kaleidoscopic prints in the most luxurious of silks you can think of. These statement kurtas are paired with armour-like bundis and military-inspired short bandhgalas. The brand’s dhotis and sherwanis are all adorned with bejewelled brooches and regalia-inspired accessories.
Shot at the splendid fortress Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer, the mesmerising landscape enhances the label’s beloved conventions— military-inspired detailing, creatively merged with tribal motifs!
Nikhil Mehra is said to have first created a draped kurta for himself to wear to a party some six years ago! In an interview with The Hindu he said: “I got a lot of eyeballs initially, looking askance, but by the end of it, a lot of people loved it. We realised that men were starving for individuality.” In another interview to a publication Shantanu said, “We are now observing more sentimental sartorial decisions. Our patrons value personal details rather than trends. They want occasion wear that celebrates them.”
After being in the business of fashion for a little over two decades, Shantanu & Nikhil has transitioned from selling couture to making customers experience the story behind it. According to them, couture is just not about simply selling outfits anymore; it’s about experiencing the whole tale of the ensemble!
Eva Pavithran
Vertical Head - Lifestyle