Rajputana Traveller by Samant Chauhan

Samant Chauhan WIFW AW 2014

‘Some travels take you so far that even when you return you are gone forever…probably it’s then they call it a journey’…the Rajputana Traveller.

Samant Chauhan WIFW AW 2014

Designer, Samant Chauhan grows in confidence each season with new chapters from his Rajputana fashion series.  Continually drawing on inspiration from his native Indian state he keeps the collection looking bold and structured yet incredibly feminine.

Hall of Fame: Samant Chauhan

WIFW: Samant Chauhan SS14

Young Indian fashion designer, Samant Chauhan designs beautiful clothing for both women and men.  He exhibits internationally and is on an upward trajectory after many years of dedication to his art.

Samant was born in Rajasthan and is passionate about working with master weavers from his area.  The NIFT graduate embarked upon fashion after first completing a physics degree at Bhagalpur University.  Samant consistently selects neutral and softer tones to counter the colourful spectrum typically offered by other designers in India.

So Samant, please tell me about your latest collection.

This is the series of Rajputana and this is the fourth season we are doing the same concept.

What is Rajputana?

Rajputana is about reviving the Rajputana name.  Rajasthan’s ancient name is Rajputana and I belong to that place which is one of the reasons I wanted to work on it.

WIFW: Samant Chauhan SS14
The first season we did a collection, the story was based on how the Britishers influenced the entire Rajputana region … so we were inspired by a lot of Victorian motifs and shapes and volume. 

A Perfume for a Little Princess

Quintessential British heritage brand, Penhaligon’s, is launching a new Eau de Parfum on Monday called Vaara, inspired by the Royal House of Marwar-Jodphur in Rajasthan. The scent came about after His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II desired a scent to commemorate the birth of his granddaughter, Vaara (as one does).

Created by Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour

Moustache Month

Movember is a month-long initiative aimed at raising awareness of men’s health issues such as prostate cancer.  It’s wonderful seeing men trying to grow their moustaches and figure out that to do with them as the…art?…of moustache grooming is forgotten.

Daniel Craig joins in, above, and below you will find some other lovely or otherwise moustaches:

Robert De Niro from Godfather Part II, rocks his ‘tache.

My Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

During my last trip to Rajasthan I also became guardian of a wee tortoise, Sufi. Sufi fits in the palm of my hand but she is already 7 years old and too too cute with the most amazing designer star patterned shell.

Tortoises roam wild in the jungle around Ajmer

Diamonds Are A Guy’s Best Friend

I was in Rajasthan earlier this week on a trip and stayed at a very cute guest house. Upon arrival our host and owner of the guest house, Sanjay, came to welcome us and I couldn’t help but notice his earrings.