The Minimalist Of Indian Fashion

An evolutionary and a revolutionary in menswear, designer Rajesh Pratap Singh doesn’t believe in playing by the rules, and the only thing that defines fashion, for him, is the essential evolving of a garment, albeit with flexibility.

- Samreen Tungekar

Anyone who has ever spoken to Rajesh Pratap Singh has only come away with lessons in humility, absolute love for the craft in fashion, and with no regard for the popularity contest in the industry. He’s known for his clean, chic designs that (while he doesn’t use the term himself) are minimalistic. He weaves his own fabrics and is intricately involved with his garments. Time and again, he’s proven his commitment to textile crafts, like when he collaborated with a weavers’ cooperative in Kullu, in 2017, among many other things. A believe in technology and taking a balanced approach to clothes and fashion, Singh talks about the growing importance of textiles and the complications of sustainability.

What's one rule of fashion that you refuse to compromise on?

Well, the rule, is that you have no rules. I think you just keep evolving, keep doing your thing, and making things that mean something. I'm not much into fashion, in the traditional sense of it. We’re in the business, but I don’t look at it traditionally.

What essentially is a classic Rajesh Pratap Singh outfit?

Who knows, who cares? I don’t. The moment the collections are done, I want to do the next thing. Evaluating or appreciating is not my job. What I feel happy about is creating timeless designs, which someone tells me they have had with them for years. When people come and say I had this outfit 20 years ago and I want this again, those are things that matter.

As a designer, what aspects of Indian fashion are yet to be explored to their full potential?