Dual Designs

He studied design in London and on his return, began supplying clothes to Ensemble. Besides retail, Arjun has been involved in many other elements of fashion, from styling shoots for Raymonds to designing the costumes for the film Begum Sumroo. "I have always wanted my own place but it is not easy to find the right space," says the designer, "This is perfect as I have my own space, yet it is a part of the Designer Studio. So even when I am abroad there is someone here."

"I wanted there to be personal touch with the studio. This very important in the fashion business and by tying up with Tony Singh (of Design Studio), I have ensured this," he explains. Though Arjun will be at the shop to meet clients for bridal orders, he has began to spend a lot of time abroad. "I also have a studio in New Jersey and that keeps me very busy. I can’t make enough clothes for them." About two years ago, Dolly of Khazana (a store in New Jersey) saw Arjun’s clothes on his website HYPERLINK (arjunkhanna.com) and loved them so much, that she invited him to become a part of her store. And now, he has his own studio at Khazana. And Arjun says it is not just the NRI’s buying his designs: "The Indian look is really big at the moment and even the Americans seem to enjoy wearing Indian clothes." This is why Arjun has been missing from the fashion scene here.

In fact, he even held a fashion show in New Jersey last year. Though his clothes have been available at some retail outlets like Vama, he has not had a show in Mumbai for a while, as he has been concentrating on his international orders. But now he will be dividing his time between the two outlets. And he hopes to take a preview to New Jersey soon. "Though it is every designer’s dream to have a fashion show, a preview can be just as effective. The clothes don’t get damaged the way they do at shows and people can feel and touch the clothes," says the designer, adding that he also hopes to hold a few previews at his store in Mumbai this year.

And if all his previews turn out to be as well attended as his first, Arjun’s store looks all set to become a meeting place for the city’s movers and shakers. His new range at the Designer Studio is very different from his previous collections. He has broadened his work to include everything from `casual separates’ to bridal wear. "Designers have to start looking at the whole spectrum if they want to grow," says the designer. He will also be launching a range of children’s wear and his men’s line has expanded too.

"For a designer to make it in the market he needs to strike a balance. Your clothes need to be commercial, they need to be sensitive to the buyer and they have to be artistic too. After all they are designer clothes," says Arjun. He has obviously kept this in mind with his latest collection, as his clothes are both beautiful and wearable. But that’s not enough for Arjun; he is looking to expand: "Who knows, maybe I’ll open another studio in Delhi…"