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Kunal Rawal Unveils the Art of Reinventing Indian Men’s Occasionwear

From Ranbir Kapoor to Allu Arjun, his designs have caught the eye of Bollywood’s biggest names—and he’s just getting started.
Kunal Rawal is shaking up menswear in India.

When it comes to Indian menswear, few designers stand out like Kunal Rawal. Known for his fresh take on occasionwear, he’s dressed some of Bollywood’s heaviest hitters—Ranbir Kapoor, who strutted for him at India Couture Week 2023; Shahid Kapoor, who wore a Rawal original for his wedding; Varun Dhawan; and childhood pal Arjun Kapoor, to name a few. Rawal’s approach tosses tradition out the window while keeping it close, mixing modern cuts with Indian embellishments to craft pieces that vibe with today’s crowd. Think structured gender-neutral silhouettes, bold textures, and colors that pop—his latest lineup flaunts hot pink, rust, and electric blues. With a knack for details like knotting, pleating, and metallic accents, Rawal’s work sits at the sweet spot of contemporary Indian luxury. ETV Bharat caught up with him at his Banjara Hills store in Hyderabad. Here’s what he had to say:
Kunal, you’ve turned Indian menswear on its head. What sparked your fashion journey?
“Fashion’s been a big part of my life forever—it’s all about self-expression. I grew up admiring Indian craftsmanship and wanted to give it a modern twist without losing its soul. At London School of Fashion, I tried it all, but menswear clicked. I couldn’t find occasionwear that felt like me, so I started designing—and realized tons of guys felt the same way.”

How’s menswear changed over time?
“When I kicked off, barely anyone focused on menswear—just a couple of designers. People didn’t get that it’s a whole different game from women’s fashion. Back then, menswear was basically women’s fabrics and motifs slapped onto a sherwani or bandi. Now, it’s a specialty. We’re creating for men specifically, and I draw a lot from young India—progressive, bold, and ahead of the curve, even compared to the most forward-thinking countries.”
Your brand fuses tradition with modern vibes. How do you pull that off?
“Fashion’s about evolving. Indian menswear has insane heritage, and I’m here to make it fresh for today. Modern cuts, unexpected shapes, and versatile styling keep it global yet rooted. Growing up in a globalized India, I’ve seen this journey unfold—it’s a privilege. Our heritage gives us an edge over designers worldwide; we’ve got stories and craftsmanship handed down for generations.”

Dressing A-listers like Ranbir and Shahid—how’s that feel?
“It’s unreal. Seeing my work on icons like them puts it out there for everyone to see. Celebs set trends and bring their own flavor—each one pulls something new out of me as a designer. They’re killer muses. But honestly, my real win is making every Indian guy feel sharp and confident in ethnic wear, no matter who they are.”
You’re leaning into bold colors like pink and blue. Moving away from your signature beige and white?
“I’m in a color mood right now. Menswear’s buzzing—guys are finally having fun with it. To me, fashion’s an emotion, not just a look. And it’s awesome that our clients get that luxury is about how clothes make you feel.”

What inspires your designs?
“No set formula. Some days, we’re stumped; others, it just flows. It’s all about headspace—I create best when I’m emotional, happy or not. Inspiration can hit from anywhere—a chat, a person, a city’s vibe, or even its buildings. The best ideas? Totally random.”

What makes a Kunal Rawal piece stand out?
“Details, function, and personality. My stuff’s multi-use—mix and match for any vibe. I’m big on intricate embroidery and layering that adds depth but keeps it comfy.”

Where’s Indian menswear headed?
“It’s wild! Guys aren’t stuck with basics anymore—they want edgy, polished looks. Prints, textures, structured fits—it’s all in play, and I’m stoked to be driving it.”

Sustainability’s big now. How do you weave that in?
“I design for longevity—one piece should give you 10 looks and last years. If it doesn’t, we’re off. Occasionwear isn’t cheap thrills. We’ll even repurpose your buy for free—turn a sherwani into a bandhgala or jacket. My goal? Get you wearing it 200 times. That’s sustainability.”

AI’s creeping into fashion. Any plans there?
“It’s coming, and we’re curious. AI’s already shaking things up, but I hope it doesn’t kill original vibes—there’s too much tweaking over creating lately. If it plugs gaps, cool; if it takes over, we’re in trouble. Creativity’s power lasts centuries.”
Style tips for guys looking to level up?

“Grab timeless pieces that scream you. Layer it up, play with textures, and own it. Fashion’s your story—don’t hold back.”