Jayesh Sachdev's Reimagined Indian Olympics Uniform Concepts Are A Breath Of Fresh Air

Pictures of outfits from the collection.

Instead of the generic saree and kurtas, the designer opted for modern, clean-cut, athletic silhouettes adorned with intricate embroidery and patterns that elevated the design.Jayesh Sachdev

Published on:

31 Jul 2024, 3:00 am

2 min read

A week ago, the costumes for the Olympic Games were unveiled at the opening ceremony. And while Mongolia and Haiti were among the best dressed, The uniforms for the Indian contingency were a far cry from the anticipated resplendence; especially for a country known worldwide for its rich textile traditions.

Designed by Tarun Tahiliani, the ikat-inspired ensemble was met with a tidal wave of criticism. In the aftershock of the letdown we collectively experienced, designers dove into what could've been done differently.

Jayesh Sachdev, a multi-faceted artist, designer, and the founder of the award-winning label Quirk Box, shared his version of the Olympic uniforms that he reimagined with some AI assistance. Instead of the generic saree and kurtas, the designer opted for modern, clean-cut, athletic silhouettes adorned with intricate embroidery and patterns that elevated the design.

Founded in 2011, Quirk Box Studio is a fashion and life label that operates on the philosophy of playful sophistication and creates eccentric wearable art that's rich in colour and graphics. As Jayesh puts it, “We are synonymous with all things fun, outlandish and distinctive. Our exuberant approach to everyday life encourages personal style with a dash of incandescent charm. We call it life in technicolour.” The studio’s creativity in their reimagination of the uniforms reflects a maximalist culture that exists across the visual landscape of India.

Although this was just an experiment, it shows us what was missing from the uniforms. I think the Mongolian and Haitian designs won everyone's hearts because they showcased their ethnic heritage. Whether it was the reimagined Mongolian deel (a native tunic) with stunning golden embroidery or the vibrant patterns influenced by Haitian painter Phillippe Dodard, both countries had a distinct cultural narrative embedded into their outfits. As a country whose textile cultures extend from centuries-old handicrafts to contemporary designers, we have a long list of inspirations and interpretations to pick from. And although you can count on the classics like a kurta or a saree, a more adventurous vision would do justice to the land of grand stories and folklore that is India.