Meet Krishna Mehta, the designer who revolutionised menswear for Indians back in the nineties. A time when men could only think of stripes and checks, that’s when Krishna waved her magic wand to introduce colours and techniques like Hand block prints, Tie-n-dye and batik for menswear. It was revolutionary. And so beautifully accepted that she never had to look back ever since! With her latest collection, Krishna, once again raises the bar for fashion followers. Catch her unplugged…
The world of fashion is not just clothes. To me it’s everything, it’s the air that you breathe, and it’s the way that we live, talk, and move. It’s a whole lifestyle, a whole package.
My start of the journey was wonderful and long ago in 1982 when I started as a fabric person. I worked with garment export firms and with some of the best designers across the globe, eventually, starting my own label in 1989. Each moment has been special and mesmerising and I have always felt the day I get bored I will hang my boots. Thankfully, the day has yet not come. I still have the bounce in my step and thus a beautiful journey. I am still designing! I make things that I love.
My idea of a grand dress is something that is aristocratic, charming, irresistible and elegant. It is like Coco Chanel said “You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.” That’s what my grand dress would be, comprising of everything.
The freedom to play with colours is most important. I love it. I love to play with colours and when there are no colour that’s my choice and freedom. I choose to play with colours, my way!
The fact that Indian Fashion Industry is ruled by Bollywood is awful. The most courageous act today is to think for oneself, and not follow something blindly. I am not very happy about that fact because the fashion industry today is brimming with talent galore and yet, the followers succumb only to the screen.
My latest collection is an assortment of crafts like different dyes and needle work with lot of play in terms of layers, cuts and movements, making it look 3D! It’s very colourful and there is a lot of character to the garments.
Generally, I don’t have one particular idea when I do my collections because every collection has to capture this something, which is special and each time it is different. Every time I think what is going to be new and how am I going to outdo myself from yesterday, so that, I can enjoy my breath tomorrow.
I like to design, it’s my favourite pass time; the only thing that I love to do. That never tires me. I don’t think there is any other profession that is so huge and with so many different endless possibilities. I get bored very fast but this is something that never bores me. The whole journey of an idea transforming from my thoughts to paper to garment and finally on a model, is very exciting for me.
Menswear for me is more sensitive while women’s’ wear is stronger. I am more passionate towards creating menswear. I love that so much more.
The grandness of a garment is its elegance and when it becomes the wearer. Someone getting a compliment like you are wearing a nice Krishna Mehta is not great, it is great when the compliment is you look great in that Krishna Mehta garment. The garment should enhance the personality of the wearer.
When I think of creating I think of people who would be wearing these clothes, how happy they would be while wearing them and it should feel good to them. How people can enjoy my creations.
I would want people to have the spirit of enjoying life to the fullest and walking freely. I like to make clothes that are timeless.
