Fashion Funda : Trend Wise

Askari Jaffer Deepak Shah is known for combining new designs with old school craftsmanship. His 25-year old brand 'More Mischief' is all about Indian inspiration with an international exposure. He says his goal has always been to draw from the past and create something fashionable for the future. What is fashion for you? I believe that fashion can help identify the charisma of a person. It's speaks volumes about a person's lifestyle and tastes. To me, fashion and clothing, like language, has the power to communicate our beliefs to the external world and influence our core surroundings. So I create garments especially for the ladies and gentleman who believe in the art of celebrating the skill of dressing and state of being. Fashion is a way of life of expressing your innermost desires and feelings. It can define your profession, personality and people in your life.

How do you stay with the fashion trend, yet have an individual style? My goal has always been to draw inspiration from the past and create something chic for the present from a 360 degree perspective. As a brand we are driven by a universal vision of luxury inspired by the old world charm complimented with new age styles. Fashion trends keep evolving but it is imperative to add a touch of personalisation to every wardrobe. My patrons will never be spotted wearing replicas of the same outfit because of the detailing I add to each outfit. I make it a point to personally overlook the color, design and cut of every outfit, which is tailor-made to suit the personality of the wearer. So from pret to couture, our merchandise focuses on international trends but also have a touch of alluring heritage to them which ensures there is an individualistic designer's touch to the entire collection, making it a showstopper piece.

What do you mean by mix of tradition & contemporary classics style? As stated above it's a mix of two different generations presented in a trendier manner. It's a secret that will never go out of fashion. Tell us about your Spring Summer collection? More Mischief Spring Summer 2013 collection showcases sport and safari styles of jackets, tailored clothing in the form of single and double-breasted sport coats, kurtas and sherwanis in versatile materials of knits, denim, silks, light velvets, suede, voiles, and metallics and the modern man's version of a classic tux with a focus on clean construction and architectural shapes. A hue of colours ranging from vivacious tangerine to emerald green to crimson red to lemon yellow to citrus green to more muted tones like rose, rust, khaki and olive make headway in our collection.

What is the present trend for men's fashion? Men's fashion trends evolve over time � they don't change overnight as in women's trends. Military style is still fashionable, and its summer counterpart being the safari which is the hot trend of the season. Knits, denim, silks, light velvets, suede, voiles, distressed leather and metallics in solids, florals, stripes, windowpane motifs, graphic checks and geometric prints are imperative in the form of chinos, denims, tees, jackets or shoes. An explosion of colour in neons, fluorescents and altogether more vibrant colors allow for color blocking.

Camouflage and patterning is also great. Men's suits, shirts and ties are blooming in shades of blue, green and lavender, along with the traditional gray and navy. When putting together a suit, shirt, tie and pocket square, don't get too matchy-matchy. In men's shirts, collars and cuffs lined with contrasting colors, or white, are popular. Checks and stripes are also great.

Dos and Donts for this summer for men? There are no set rules here. It is all about having your own sense of style. I suggest keeping in mind the warm and humid Indian summer, there is nothing better than seeing a man comfortable in his own skin. Please always have a crisp white shirt, a colourful tie and khaki pants stocked in your wardrobe. Don't opt for torn flared jeans or dark coloured glossy shirts.