A New Wave Of Stylists That Are Redefining Homegrown Fashion
Existing in an era of influencers and style consciousness has increased our access and appreciation for the world of fashion. Our favourite magazine covers and brands hone an ‘aesthetic’ that is crafted carefully by a team of artists simmering in the background. Which brings us to the burning question- Is it safe to say that stylists can claim to be the unsung heroes of the fashion landscape?
From inventing style revelations to mastering the latest trends of hair, beauty and garments, stylists stand out to be the real influencers dictating the fashion grammar of current times. At Homegrown we provide you ultimate backstage access into the world of the creative powerhouses defining the à la mode.
We interviewed a few stylists who are tapping into the pulse of creative exploration; inspiring us to dive deep into our closets and go vogue.
Longchenti Hanso Longchar
Born in Nagaland and raised in boarding schools across India, Longchenti lives and breathes fashion quite literally. With a strong background of freelancing as a stylist and art director in Delhi for a couple of years now, the style guru has come a long way with the help of his passion.
Longchenti gets candid about the major role his tribal roots and heritage have played in shaping him as an artist and how he’s dedicated his work to putting his community on the global map. Finding inspiration in the world of cinema has served to be his happy space; evoking even more creativity in the multi-faceted artist.
Check out their work here.
Homegrown: What does fashion mean to you?
Longchenti Hanso Longchar: If fashion was rebranded as an emotion I would believe it. What one picks to wear is never random but a peek into their psyche and fashion being a tool to do that is pretty amazing I think. Cinema has served as a means of escapism for me and I think it’s what got me into fashion. I was especially drawn to the makeover montages in movies as cheesy as it sounds. Watching the lead having a life transitioning moment after putting on an outfit was when I knew then I wanted to feel or make someone feel like that.
HG: Describe your style in 3 words?
LHL: Loose-fitting, layers, ironic.
HG: Who are your style icons?
LHL: Grace Chang from the movie ‘The Hole’, Eartha Kitt, Anna Karina, Chloë Sevigny, every character from Wes Anderson movies.
HG: A trend you wish would die/stay on forever?
LHL: Change is the only thing that’s constant. At the moment I’m not really into headbands. Individuality can be a trend that stays on forever.
HG: What’s your approach when you style someone?
LHL: A lot of research.
HG: What’s the most fun part of your job?
LHL: The collaborative aspect of working with artists and professionals with different sensibilities and methods to create unexpected yet beautiful imagery is always fun.
HG: What’s your take on the homegrown fashion industry?
LHL: Lots of talent, really challenging and moving on from archaic tropes of the Indian fashion industry. We’re definitely entering uncharted waters. As long as the alternatives are highlighted and given a chance to sit at the table, we’re on track.
Akhuana
Akhuana, full name Gaikhuanlung Makhou Gangmei, is a freelance fashion stylist/fashion designer, currently working as a head designer at Ara Lumiere.
Hailing from the small town of Tamenglong, Akhuna was interested in fashion from a very young age. He began experimenting with fashion by dressing up/styling my girlfriends in their mother’s clothes. But more than the glamour side of the fashion world, the fashion expert loves and admires the narrative side of fashion; how fashion shapes and dictates our society. Being a nonconformist, knowingly and unknowingly from a very young age, Akhuana associates himself with the concept of gender and sexuality immensely and chooses to express these concepts in creative ways through his work.
Check out their work here.
Homegrown: What does fashion mean to you?
Akhuana: Fashion is liberation. Fashion is narrating oneself through clothing, the meaning and purpose behind garments which makes you liberated and protected. Fashion is wearing something so beautiful that makes you joyful, confident in you being you and empowered. When I’m in fashion, I am at my truest self. Sometimes I do wonder if I would be living in my most authentic self if it weren’t for fashion.
HG: Describe your style in 3 words?
Akhuana: Beyond dichotomy, classic, loud.
HG: A trend you wish would die/stay on forever?
Akhuana: Torn t-shirts. The voluminous, padded shoulders and sky-high platforms of the 70s.
HG: Who are your style icons?
Akhuana: The revolutionary styles of Marlene Dietrich, Prince Rogers Nelson, and Grace Jones continue to inspire me in a very impactful manner. They are undoubtedly my favourite style icons.
HG: What’s your approach when you style someone?
Akhuana: The first thing I do when I style someone is to briefly study their personality or get to know who they are as a person. I ask the person how they want the world to view them and what is their view of the world, followed by what type of clothes they are most comfortable in psychologically and physically. I take account of their body type, mood, and style them according to the occasion.
HG: What’s the most fun part of your job?
Akhuana: I do enjoy the whole process of styling but above all, there are a few things that I enjoy the most. I love conceptualisation, I get to meet amazing and talented new people and love looking at the final images of a shoot.
HG: Your take on the homegrown fashion industry?
Akhuana: I just graduated from college this year, so I have still got a lot to learn. But through research, experiences, and social media, I have seen different brands and artists come up from different parts of our country over the past few years. I’m very happy to see that and most of our homegrown designers, labels and artists are very conscious and extremely fashionable while staying connected to their roots, reviving ancient crafts, and uplifting local communities while creating fashion. For example, the place I’m currently working at is a homegrown brand, they are empowering and changing the lives of acid attack survivors across the country which is a great take on fashion.
Young homegrown artists, like stylists, models, photographers, makeup artists etc are extremely talented and very inclusive and deserve all the opportunities we can get to flourish. Thanks to Homegrown for providing us with one!
Bonseng Sangma
Originally from Garo Hills, Bonseng currently designs minimal and sustainable clothing for Lovebirds Studio as a senior designer in Delhi. When he’s not creating garments for modern women, the fashionista enjoys styling, creating digital artwork, and producing music from his bedroom.
Check out their work here.
Homegrown: What does fashion mean to you?
Bonseng Sangma: Fashion, for me, is a means to express my creativity and clothing is my canvas to execute my ideas.
HG: Describe your style in 3 words?
BS: Comfort, effortless, classic.
HG: Who are your style icons?
BS: Jane Birkin, Simone Rocha, Phoebe Philo, Sarah Lin Tran, Josephine Baker, Cher and Jackie Chan.
HG: A trend you wish would die/stay on forever?
BS: Men’s skinny jeans should die and high waisted straight fit jeans should stay forever. Women’s wedge heels and clogs should die and chunky loafers should stay.
HG: What’s your approach when you style
someone?
BS: Classic but experimental.
HG: What’s the most fun part of your job?
BS: Being able to do what I love.
HG: Your take on the homegrown fashion industry?
BS: Seeing the growth, we’re slowly getting there.
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