March is an exciting month in Delhi. There are events dime a dozen, and the two we’re most excited about are The Coalition and Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter ’16. We caught up with Nidhi Jacob, Fashion Editor at Elle India prior to The Coalition for her take on the event, the upcoming fashion week and the fashion industry in India.
LBB: Can you tell us a little about your talk at Coalition and what you’re most excited about at the three day event?
Nidhi Jacob: I’m moderating the ‘Fashionable Alternatives’ panel with amazing speakers–R Burman, Elton Fernandez and Mark Lubric. Through the panel we hope to drive focus to vocations beyond design; professions are important to complete the visual language of fashion.
I’m nervous but also excited to get a sense of the general mood of young, creative individuals interested in fashion. Also, the ‘Responsible Fashion’ panel has all my attention.
LBB: What’s in your little black book when you visit Delhi?
Nidhi Jacob: The thing I really care about when I visit Delhi is food. My favourite places include Pot Belly {Shahpur Jat}, Yeti {Hauz Khas Village}, the Naga stall at Dilli Haat and Tunday Kebabs {Gurgaon}.
LBB: Two things someone who wants to survive in the fashion world needs, in your opinion.
Nidhi Jacob: First, instinct, because it is absolutely imperative to follow your gut if you want to create an honest voice and vision.
Secondly, research. And by that, I don’t necessarily mean a bookish education. To understand why and how something/someone becomes a trend or a fad, you have to know, or at least try to understand, where it all started.
LBB: The most challenging part about writing about fashion in today’s day and age.
Nidhi Jacob: Good writing comes from having a strong opinion on the subject, and it is tough to do that when you have so many people to please.
LBB: The most fascinating aspect of Delhi’s street style? What makes it unique?
Nidhi Jacob: I think Delhi youth, especially, have nailed the idea of India Modern – they often wear a lot of local craft but in a relaxed, urban way.
LBB: Your pick of top three Delhi designers.
Nidhi Jacob: Eka, Sanjay Garg, Abraham & Thakore
LBB: AIFW’16 is coming up- what are you looking forward to the most?
Nidhi Jacob: The new venue, Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, should be fun to navigate through.
Find out more about The Coalition here.
