Designing for Narendra Modi

Everything that BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi does is dissected these days for inner meanings. For example, when the leader wore a pistachio green kurta in Vadodara, it was seen as trying to project a more liberal image. In fact, Modi does not stick to the run of the mill white kurtas and for long has been very conscious about what he wears, shares his trusted tailor for close to three decades, Bipin Chauhan.

“I have been tailoring his clothes since 1989 when he was with the Sangh,” says Bipin, adding that the journey did begin with white, but he soon started playing with colours. While colours like black and saffron are considered aggressive, earthy tones come across as friendly and Modi is very conscious of these picks. Of late, Modi has started showing a special inclination towards pastel colours and loves softening the ensemble with some off white, says his designer.

“The best thing about Modi is that we just have to worry about the fit and he takes care of putting the outfit together. He is very good with mixing and matching. If he matched his kurtas once, the next day he will go for contrast. It is a pleasure to see him put an outfit together and the way he carries it off,” adds Bipin, who along with his brother Jitender, run Jade Blue.

The brand today retails a line inspired by Modi’s style statement half sleeve kurtas. Bipin also has quiet a lot of insight into Modi’s persona. “He is punctual for fittings and gets excited about colours as well. Often he gets down to the details of the buttoning and the shape of the necks of his jackets,” he shares. The man who is punctual even if his tailor is late, is also a “perfectionist and is extremely respectful,” adds Bipin. “He calls me by my name every time we meet. And sometimes it would have been months between our meetings but he never forgets.”