Exclusive! People Can Choose Whatever They Want; There Should Be No Cribbing About It: Karan Vig

Ace fashion influencer, content creator, fashion designer, and indisputable superstar of sarees, Karan Vig, is making headlines with his fashion choices. He advocates equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Challenging social norms, he chose a saree to represent his fashion.

In an exclusive conversation, he talked about his journey and challenges. Here are a few edited excerpts from the conversation.

Can you tell us about your journey from being an English graduate to a successful fashion designer and content creator?

All credit goes to my journey, which started in London. If I had not gone outside India, I probably would not have accessed my knowledge. And it only increased when I broadened my horizons and went outside India.

Because once you are at a particular place, you cannot discuss your sexuality, be what you are, or want to be. So I went to study for my masters in English, but suddenly, the horizon widened, and then it all happened from being an English graduate to a fashion designer. I started working for a few designers in London Fashion Week, then I started blogging, then a writer for a feature magazine, and also I did a small styling course which also led to me being a model for a while. After that, when I came back, I started my own business and started doing fashion shows here.

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What motivated all the transitions from being a blogger and model to establishing your fashion brand?

I think I tend to have my own personal representation as a designer. I wanted people to wear what I was designing. Being a model, it's just for personal self. OK, you are a model. You can wear somebody else's garment. You're an influencer. You're wearing somebody else's attire. And why not let other people wear what you want to design and what you want people to wear? Why not get into a business where people wear your label?

How would you describe your fashion label Karan Vig and the unique element it brings to the industry?

I think I typically work on white garments based on the Rajwada of Rajasthan. The queens used to wear chiffon sarees and the rajmatas of Jaipur. And all these connections come from the handwork I imbibed on my garments. I've not thought of getting into majorly print work, the digitals, or the hand blocks because it's very common in Jaipur. So, I wanted to design something which is though I've done.

On my runway, I've done basic khadi sarees as well. But I wanted to make my statement from the colours to white only, and that was a transition that got me into wearing white as well because white is the colour that gives me peace, and it is a statement labelled for myself. 

Could you elaborate on your choice to incorporate Indian dhotis, silk dupattas, jewellery, and your trademark style in the fashion show?

It's like I am wearing what I want to; I'm not forcing somebody else to accept me. It's not that we are crying for, you know, acceptance. But for example, if a girl wears a saree or a top, nobody forces her to wear that. It's her choice. Similarly, a boy would also do the same thing. Then why not homosexuals? Why not us? We can wear whatever we want to.

It's not that we are wearing something obscene. It's like just what we are wearing is what makes us comfortable

What inspires you to draw Rajwada aesthetics in your design? How do you infuse this inspiration into your collection?

I come from Jaipur, the city of kings and queens. That is one of the basic reasons. Why I would like to represent, for example, Sabyasachi Mukherjee represents the Bengali culture. Tarun Tehlani and Manish Raut are coming from Mumbai. They represent the culture of Mumbai, the glitters and all. Then coming from Rajasthan, it will be the Rajwada Collection and Rajmata Collection. 

How do you promote the use of handlooms in your design and collection, and what significance do they hold for you?

Giving them a chance and opportunity where people working are handicapped, and then we are giving them employment. It's a sustainable development kind of a program where we help others who are poor, you know, hand workers. They are getting business from designers.

Can you discuss the cultural and stylistic significance of Indian sarees?

I think Indian women look more beautiful in a saree. Not only Indian women but any woman. Wearing a garment is a personal choice. We do not force somebody to wear Indian attire, saree, or suit. It's just the way you carry it.

If you can look elegant in a sari, please wear it. If you look elegant in a suit, please wear it. 

People can dress up. People can wear, people can choose whatever they want to. There should be no cribbing on it. 

Could you share a bit about your TEDx talk and your lectures on fashion styling, particularly about feminism and gender equality?

I gave my TEDx talk a few years ago, where I spoke about human relationships and fashion. Explaining things about saree, I mentioned the differences. So there's just a way of wearing it that makes a difference, right? It's just a few people who want to wear it just to gain attention. Sorry, it is not like that. They have the feelings to wear it. People can wear it, and if it doesn't soothe your eyes, please move your eyes somewhere else. Also, if you can't rather appreciate this, don't at least don't put them down.

How do you break gender norms by incorporating traditionally feminine garments like sarees and lehengas into your style, and what message do you hope to convey through this choice?

I want to say that wearing a particular garment does not define your gender. Gender is something that is given by first right, But identity is something which you develop, which you grow into. 

And how you incorporate those feelings, it's not like all the feminine guys would be wearing sarees only. Many people wear kilts, many wear sarees, and many wear skirts. Many are probably only into wearing manly clothes, but they're feminine, right? 

And people have the choices to wear whatever they want to. You bring them on the runway.

See, I don't think about negativity. If you do good things, people who are not feeling good for you will always be there to pull you down. So, God has given us two ears, one to listen and one to filter out negativity. I never feel regretful by listening to the negative comments because they are probably the ones who are giving me a hint that, yes, people are jealous of me. Some people try to bring you down because they don't want you to be successful, and if somebody doesn't want you to be successful, they will always criticize you.

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