A day in the life of designer Suket Dhir, who has just won an interntional fashion prize
Dhir's brand Suketdhir won the International Woolmark Prize at the Pitti Uomo in Florence, beating out over 70 competitors.
Indian fashion doesn't win often globally, but when it does, it wins big.
This week, Delhi based designer Suket Dhir's brand Suketdhir won the International Woolmark Prize at the Pitti Uomo (the biannual menswear trade show) in Florence, Italy. The award recognises design excellence using merino wool.
Dhir made it to the list of six finalists from over 70 nominees around the world, before winning the award. "I didn’t expect it, but I was hoping. My god, was I hoping," The New York Times quoted Dhir on his win. "This is the most beautiful and surreal moment for me, my family and all my team back in New Delhi. It is a real game changer for the house of Suketdhir."
The video above, from The Woolmark Company in November 2015, shows a day in the life of the designer. Here Dhir takes us where the weaving takes place and his designs are brought to life.
Launched in 2009, the brand only wins a cash prize of $70,000, but also partnerships with stores around the world to sell its collection.
Dhir said that while he wanted to go international, he didn't have the right contacts. So, this win gives him the perfect launchpad to grow his name worldwide.
"The judging panel said it was impressed by the collection's contemporary take on classic Western tailoring with an Indian twist – a homage to the style of his grandfather that marries sharp lines with a romantic subcontinental fluidity," the New York Times report further stated.
This is the second time an Indian designer has won the award. In 2014, designer Rahul Mishra bagged it for womenswear.