Sheetal
In the world of fashion, making a place for self is a tough journey and so is sustaining one’s position while others are moving in and out of the fierce competition. The story of Mohammed Mazhar, a fashion designer who carved out a niche for himself in the fashion world is no different.
Mazhar, donned a white androgynous asymmetrical shirt with the a green striped trousers, the one he wore in the Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2019 while showcasing the collection Kadhai Wala. He was in Chandigarh for The Classy Events and Exhibitions showcase. His connection with the city goes back to 2015 when he passed out of Inter National Institute of Fashion Design, Chandigarh to become a designer. He has worked with all kinds of fabrics like cotton, lawn, mulmul, velvet but cotton, he says, that from Middle East, is his go to cloth. “It works the best in hot Indian summer”. A stern believer of the potential of Indian Fashion Industry, Mazhar wishes to propagate artisans whenever given the opportunity to speak or to showcase through his work. That is why it doesn’t surprise us that the designers he admires happen to be only Indians. Ritu Kumar, Abraham and Thakore and Indian-American designer Naeem Khan make it to the favourite list of this fashion trend setter.
His debut run Dhobi Ghat revolved around the craftsmen who are behind every intricate detail of everything presentable on the world stage, and he still sticks to the creative influence that these artisans have over him. Where Dhobi Ghat highlighted the washer men, Rafugar stresses the work of the darner and his latest Kadhai Wala collection emphasizes on the complex work of the embroiderers. Mazhar’s one to one connection with artisans enabled him to come out with versatile concepts with the same cause that of uplifting the people who work hard behind the scenes. Hence, reflected in the names for the fashion shows done so far by the Gen Next designer. The white colour, so simple and pure encapsulates clarity, wholeness, innocence, peace, unity and new beginnings was embodied in his recent exhibition. Having already designed for Bollywood celebs and projects, Mazhar wishes to tap Hollywood next. The decision of becoming a fashion designer was a message well received by him from the movie 3 Idiots which was to follow your heart. His designs are now worn by the likes of Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Tapsee Pannu. Mazhar shares that if allowed he would love to bring back the fashion of 70’s. Dimple Kapadia in the movie Bobby to costumes from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! has been his huge design inspirations. We hope, the upcoming movie Bharat starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will be a treat for the eyes not for the actors but for its ensembles are designed by none other than Mazhar.
7
9
10