Bibhu Mohapatra is a couturier whose list of clients include First Lady Michelle Obama, among others. He speaks to MW about his personal style and how Indian men should give ethnic wear a chance. 

 

• I am the one with the Western mind and the Indian heart. I trained in the West for the market, but my core is very Indian.

 

 

• The colour black is non-fussy and elegant. Black cotton T-shirts are always my uniform while I work. Investing in things black is always a good idea.

 

 

• Style is more than just how you dress. It is also about how you develop your personality.

 

 

• Luxury is what has been preserved over a long time, what has been kept alive by people’s skills and passed down the generations. Only that repertoire of craft can be considered genuine luxury. Investing in real luxury, where there is a history attached, will pay off better in the long run. A watch, a pen, an accessory which comes with a heritage story, a back story.

 

 

• Style is paying attention to detail — like keeping your facial hair welltrimmed and getting a manicure.

 

 

• Know your body type. Develop a unique sense of style. Push the envelope.

 

 

• Whilst travelling abroad, a man can’t go wrong by wearing a black sherwani at a black-tie affair.

 

 

• I think Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan have a great sense of style.

 

 

• Indian men should give ethnic wear more of a chance. It would be nice to see men wear traditional Indian clothes more often, rather than just stock them for festive occasions.

 

 

• Givenchy is perhaps the only designer I admire.

 

 

• I always tailor my cotton shirts. If you have access to a tailor, try to get one tailored yourself.

 

 

• Black Converse sneakers, slim-fit Marc Jacobs jeans, a T-shirt: I could live in them. The more classic you are, the simpler your style, the classier you look.