Stylespeak with Nachiket Barve

While the notion of ‘Summer Fashion’ is always enchanting, for those of us that live in really hot places, lets be honest, the reality is entirely different. How many times have we all said ‘I just can’t decide what to wear, its too hot!’ Finding that comfortable space where looking good meets feeling comfortable is the age-old challenge. One that we’re all too familiar with. So you can imagine the general excitement when Nachiket Barve landed up in Chennai for a Master Class on Spring-Summer trends.

The Stylespeak session at the Design Hotel at Phoenix Market City wasn’t just a great learning experience but was also hilarious. Nachiket has a great sense of humour with so many one-liners that after a point I had to start writing them down. My favourites included “If you cant wear heels- drink 2 glasses of wine”, or when he said, “I have a six pack, its bubble wrapped for safety”. Besides his many quips and anecdotes, I love that he kept things practical, using lots of examples and putting things together for us, instead of talking in the abstract, using vague terms that the average person doesn’t understand.

Nachiket walked us through key pieces from his recent collection, showing us how we can incorporate them with high street fashion. The rest of the clothes and accessories were from brands across Phoenix Market City, like Vero Moda, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, Kenneth Cole and the like. Pictured above is one of my favourite pieces, a sleeveless embroidered jacket by Nachiket, which once worn, seemed to go with just everything!

Here are his top tips for this long never-ending summer:

Switch out those tight black jeggings (that have become a wardrobe staple) for a pair of palazzos. Invest in a good pair of relaxed pants in a breathable fabric to help you brave the heat.
It has been said many times but a basic white shirt is a must. And since mixing prints and patterns isn’t a no-no anymore, it can be a shirt with fun elements.
While ‘jacket’ might not be the first thing that comes to mind in this sort of weather, a sleeveless jacket in the right fabric, can be just what you need to take your look from day to night. The aforementioned jacket is definitely one of those.

Nachiket must have easily put together about thirty different looks, mixing and matching things at lighting speed, walking us through everything from workwear, to taking a look from day to night, to working the indo-western vibe. Post the demo there were loads of questions from the audience from how to pack outfits for destination weddings, to tackling the off shoulder trend, to resort wear for older women.

Post the formalities, the designer indulged his adoring audience with selfies and lots more chatting over many cups of tea. He also promised he’ll be back in Chennai soon. We’re definitely going to hold him to that!