THE MENSWEAR DESIGNER GIVING KNITWEAR A DECONSTRUCTED NEW SPIN
As a new guard of young designers across the world reimagine knits beyond the humble earth-toned sweater, explorations in technique and creativity are shaping up a niche where knitwear can be slinky or subversive too. For menswear graduate and self-taught knitwear designer Meghana Kiran, knitting has become an avenue to question the conventions of traditional menswear itself.
Kiran’s inspiration largely stems from personal experiences. For her second year project, ‘Untitled’ for instance, it came from experiencing an existential crisis that led her to discover simulation theory and develop an interest in video games. In the collection, a brightly checkered suit is styled with a contrasting overcoat that features pixelated Pac-Man imagery. A pleated skirt is styled over a pair of patchwork pants in another look. These are all gender inclusive pieces that marry flamboyance with comfort. Her designs incorporate a diverse colour scheme, deliberately steering away from the blacks and blues that men’s clothing is already teeming with.
A year later, when Kiran was told to find inspiration amongst contemporary artists from Europe, she chanced upon the work of Indian artist Seema Kohli in an exhibition. It was Kohli’s vivid artworks that led her to expand her own palette even further for her graduate collection that consisted entirely of knitted garments.
Colorwork knitting and patchwork, paired with intentionally unfinished edges and loose ends create a surreal distorted and deconstructed effect. “I don't want things to be perfect. There is beauty in chaos, and there is chaos in beauty,” she says. Her continual experimentation with giving menswear a cuddly, psychedelic makeover is an antidote to Western formalwear.
As a new guard of young designers across the world reimagine knits beyond the humble earth-toned sweater, explorations in technique and creativity are shaping up a niche where knitwear can be slinky or subversive too. For menswear graduate and self-taught knitwear designer Meghana Kiran, knitting has become an avenue to question the conventions of traditional menswear itself.
Kiran’s inspiration largely stems from personal experiences. For her second year project, ‘Untitled’ for instance, it came from experiencing an existential crisis that led her to discover simulation theory and develop an interest in video games. In the collection, a brightly checkered suit is styled with a contrasting overcoat that features pixelated Pac-Man imagery. A pleated skirt is styled over a pair of patchwork pants in another look. These are all gender inclusive pieces that marry flamboyance with comfort. Her designs incorporate a diverse colour scheme, deliberately steering away from the blacks and blues that men’s clothing is already teeming with.
A year later, when Kiran was told to find inspiration amongst contemporary artists from Europe, she chanced upon the work of Indian artist Seema Kohli in an exhibition. It was Kohli’s vivid artworks that led her to expand her own palette even further for her graduate collection that consisted entirely of knitted garments.
Colorwork knitting and patchwork, paired with intentionally unfinished edges and loose ends create a surreal distorted and deconstructed effect. “I don't want things to be perfect. There is beauty in chaos, and there is chaos in beauty,” she says. Her continual experimentation with giving menswear a cuddly, psychedelic makeover is an antidote to Western formalwear.
