Love last-minute additions in garments

Acclaimed fashion designer Gavin Miguel is known for his couture collection globally as well as his designer pieces for Bollywood celebs. In a conversation with Fibre2Fashion, Miguel shares his thoughts on what intrigues him about the Indian fashion industry and the design inspiration behind his collections.

Fibre2Fashion: Was starting a label pre-decided?

Gavin Miguel:

Fashion has a high Influence on my life as I have been designing since young age. Fashion is part of my family generation. My initial move was to get into architecture but I eventually landed doing fashion. I always knew I wanted to have my own brand and grow further.

F2F: How would you define style and glamour?

GM:

Style and glamour can never be defined as fashion can set trends but one should be born with a keen eye that sets them apart from the masses and that is style.

F2F: What attracts you most about the Indian fashion industry? How would you define current and upcoming trends of the industry?

GM:

The Indian fashion industry always intrigues me as we have created our own world dictated by what we think works. Its great in many ways--mostly the Indian industry is about the big fat wedding but unfortunately a small percentage creates uniqueness that sets a trend.

F2F: Where do you draw your inspiration for your collection range? What is the major theme they are based on or themes keep on changing?

GM:

My inspiration comes from a bank of memories somewhere in the back of my head. It is like a library locked far away which depends on my mood is what I bring to the table. My theme stays focused on one aspect which is strength of a woman. From there it trickles down to various aspects of design.

F2F: How is the demand of your collection in the international market as compared to the domestic market? What are the ways you employ to grab more eyeballs and reach out to your target audience?

GM:

As long as I stay true to myself the demand will always be there. I have been successful in both markets and currently there are expansion plans. Doing what I love passionately automatically places a different level in the game and that is what catches the eyeballs.

F2F: As your collection is always admired by celebrities, do you design according to the celeb personality, or do you prefer to maintain your signature style?

GM:

It is a great balance of both. I stick true to my roots of belief where my creativity is concerned and somehow I am able to marry the two.

F2F: Each piece of your collection is beautifully embellished with micro detailing, how long does it take to make a single outfit?

GM:

I always love intricacies either it be in the silhouette or in the embroidery. I am a detailed kind of man and to be honest I love the last-minute additions in the garments.

F2F: Where are the clothes made? Do you have your workshop or is the production outsourced? How is the retailing part handled?

GM:

All my production goes on in couple of my workshops. I am incredibly careful and particular. In fact, I am on board everyday looking through every detail. Especially the couture garments. The pret I have are taken care by incredibly talented team who handles it and takes care of those details. I believe, it is important to take a close look or it could be a miss.

F2F: What were the disruptions the pandemic brought in your day-to-day operations and sourcing for raw materials? How was the team co-operation affected?

GM:

I am fortunate that I have brilliant team that sourced out and managed to bring us what we required. We did change a lot during that course and ended up successfully in making outfits to a great extent and that too in Indian materials.

F2F: More brands have shifted towards sustainability, what is your take on it?

GM:

Less said the better. Although I vouch for it and do make a conscious effort even so if it is a small one.

F2F: Has technology and machines taken over the charm of hand embroidery? What is your take on it?

GM:

I don't do any machine work. All our work is done by hand. I do not think it will go out of style as it sounds like saying fashion will go out of style.