T
Right now, we’re excited to dive into the multifaceted world of Rikesh Chauhan, a London-based photographer, singer, menswear author, social media marketing consultant, and editor of The Accessible Journal.
We’ll discover his distinctive sense of favor and what conjures up Rikesh, whose work spans throughout varied inventive fields. It provides a glimpse into his background, his method to clothes, and his pursuits exterior of the model world.
Whether or not he’s discussing his love for British manufacturers or his journey into music, Rikesh’s story is a testomony to the ability of individuality within the vogue business. Learn on to study extra about his private model, favourite manufacturers, and the way his heritage and upbringing have influenced his singular method to vogue.
May you share a little bit about your background?
I used to be born and raised in Luton. My mother and father moved to the UK within the early Seventies from India and Tanzania. Luton (a few 45-minute drive north of London) was fairly a tough neighborhood to develop up in — there was a variety of racial stress which I gained’t get into, however a fast Google search will let you know the whole lot it is advisable to know.
Attending a Pakistani-majority all boys’ college as an Indian child got here with its difficulties, too, but it surely was right here that I first began to actually take pleasure in literature and the inventive arts. Whereas I’ve lived in London for over ten years, you possibly can’t take Luton out of the boy. It’s a spot I dreamed about leaving for thus lengthy, however dwelling will all the time be dwelling.
What’s your earliest reminiscence of being into menswear?
My curiosity in menswear got here pretty later than you’d most likely anticipate. I used to be working as a full-time inventive at a social media company in East London in my early twenties, specializing in images and duplicate. I ended up being assigned to a few vogue manufacturers and located that I actually loved what we have been engaged on collectively.
On the time, London Collections: Males (the menswear-focused equal of London Style Week) was in full swing and, coupled with the consumer work, I ended up taking pictures avenue model as a result of When In Rome… It actually kick-started my curiosity not solely in vogue, on the whole, however personally: I needed to verify I regarded pretty much as good because the individuals I used to be documenting.
Dressing properly does wonders to your psychological well being, and it extends a stage of respect and kindness to these round you.
Rikesh Chauhan
How would you describe your model?
I actually discover this query onerous to reply, and like leaving it to educated people like yourselves to resolve! By way of my method to dressing, I like carrying garments that inform a narrative, that signify me properly, and make me be ok with myself. Some days that might imply a full on go well with, shirt, tie and sneakers, and the following I’m in workwear or casualwear.
Dressing properly does wonders to your psychological well being, and it extends a stage of respect and kindness to these round you – that’s, you respect their presence by dressing properly. It’s a lovely notion and form of overrides what you put on, and as an alternative focuses on how you put on it.
Inform us about what you’re carrying right here.
This outfit was a little bit of a cheerful accident. I had the intention of carrying all of those items at Pitti Uomo — simply not collectively. The coat is by Personal White V.C., and was a crucial garment to take to Florence, particularly when the temperature drops within the night. The brushed cotton shirt and silk tie are by Budd, in addition to the peccary leather-based gloves. The jacket is from an previous collaboration between The Rake and Fox Brothers, which was a part of The Rake Tailor-made Clothes’ debut assortment — a 6×1 DB. Tremendous cool. The vast leg trousers are by Abbie Leach Atelier, and the sneakers are by Crockett & Jones. The leather-based tote is by Bennett Winch and also you’ll see me carrying it round 99 occasions out of 100.
Once I laid out all my garments for the journey, I observed how these specific clothes all had a cool monochromality. It allowed the tie — the one piece which had a modicum of color — to be championed. The opposite factor I by no means realised till after I received again from Florence was that the entire manufacturers featured on this look are British, so I used to be unintentionally representing my dwelling. Properly, bar the glasses that are by Saint Laurent, however we’ll let that slide.
What are a few of your favourite manufacturers?
I’m very grateful you haven’t restricted me to pick two or three. In the mean time I’d should say Acre & Row for his or her tailoring, Anderson & Sheppard for knitwear and equipment, Budd Shirtmakers for – you guessed it – shirts, Personal White V.C. for outerwear, Drake’s for principally the whole lot. However truthfully a distinct day will get a distinct reply, there are such a lot of unimaginable manufacturers around the globe doing unimaginable issues.
Most up-to-date menswear (or accent) buy?
The enjoyable reply: Seventies vintage-styled Saint Laurent glasses. The boring reply: Uniqlo Heattech underlayers.
Favourite piece in your closet?
At the moment I’d should say my pair of bespoke Abbie Leach trousers. They’re obscenely high-waisted, wide-legged. The slickness of the Twenties meets the bounce and aptitude (and flare) of the late ’60s.
Most-worn merchandise in your closet?
Sarcastically, the one piece of tailoring I personal that isn’t bespoke. It’s a sports activities jacket I picked up from ARKET previous to my first journey to Pitti Uomo. It’s, so far, the one RTW piece of tailoring that matches me completely with out the necessity for alterations. It’s comprised of an English tweed, however, as a result of softer construction, it’s extremely versatile. I’ve worn it formally, in addition to with sportswear and it appears simply at dwelling.
Along with your work as a photographer and artistic, you’re additionally a musician. When did your curiosity in that start and the place can individuals try a few of your music?
I grew up in a really musical family; everybody may sing and write. In school I gravitated in the direction of extra performance-based topics — drama, expressive arts, music, and continued to pursue the latter all through faculty and college. It was in faculty the place I first began making music with a couple of pals. We used to rap, sing, carry out, DJ, dance, all of the above.
With limitless entry to recording studios at my college campus, I launched a variety of music from 2010 onwards which was performed on varied native and nationwide radio stations. It took a little bit little bit of a again seat whereas I ventured into my menswear profession, however the success of my single “Cautious” (about to hit 4 million Spotify streams) form of kick-started the whole lot for me once more. As of 2024, I’ve signed to Aviary Bridge Data and shall be releasing my first EP with them in February. All of my music may be discovered on my web site in addition to on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube et cetera – simply seek for RKZ.
How has your model modified over time?
I’ve undoubtedly realized to decorate extra for myself than my environment. Once I began engaged on Jermyn Road, and finally Savile Row, I might be in fits every day. Whereas, in fact it was enjoyable, as I realized extra about clothes (match, cloths, form, historical past, all that great things) I spotted that I didn’t essentially really feel as if what I wore was really representing who I’m. It was very secure, for lack of a greater time period, and didn’t incorporate another parts of my life, say for instance heritage, pursuits, background and upbringing. It did, nonetheless, present me with good foundations to experiment.
I now very not often put on fits, and like separates as you is usually a lot extra playful. Shirts are often swapped out for knits, roll necks, neckerchiefs, layers. I like technical outerwear and well-made informal items. It means I get to mix-and-match much more and mix totally different kinds and pursuits collectively. Most significantly, as I discussed earlier, is simply making certain that no matter I put on makes me really feel good, and says what I need it to say.
Do you’ve got a “model icon”?
Everybody and no-one. I imagine model is a really private expression, however I can admire those that costume properly: Cary Grant to Ian Wright, Gerardo Cavaliere to David Nolan, Anda Rowland to Shaista Deen.
Favourite e-book?
“Guidelines of Civility” by Amor Towles. Nonetheless, I’m at present studying “The Limits of Genius” by Katie Spalding and I can’t bear in mind the final time I’ve laughed out loud a lot.
Favourite film?
Difficult. I by no means flip off Goodfellas every time it’s on TV, so let’s say that..?
After a protracted day, how do you unwind?
There’s nothing like coming dwelling to spend time with my spouse and daughter. They’re my favourite individuals on this planet and the second I step out of the home, I can’t wait to be again. I don’t understand how I received so fortunate to have them in my life, however I’m actually grateful.
