My life, my style: Nachiket Barve

Shoes, watches or gadgets -- what are fashion designer Nachiket Barve's favourite things?

Nachiket Barve started out as a fashion designer in the year 2010.

He was introduced as a GenNext designer at the Lakme Fashion Week. Since then, there has been no looking back for him.

Over the last few years, he has designed for several celebrities in Bollywood including Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Tabu, Genelia, Kalki and Karisma Kapoor.

In a quick tete-a-tete, he talks about his love for apparel designing, why he swears by his masala chai and how independent women at home and work inspire his designs.

Best work moment

The sheer joy of creation; there is a Eureka moment when stray thoughts suddenly make sense and a complete new idea emerges. That is the moment that is deeply satisfying!

It is also very gratifying when i spot my clothes on women in real life... it makes me proud and happy to see women enjoy wearing the clothes.

Books on your bedside

The Old Man and the Sea, Reader's Digest compilations, Road Dahl's stories, A Suitable Boy, the Kenneth Anderson omnibus

Massage or workout to de-stress

A brisk walk and then a massage

Favourite accessory

My Cartier Santos 100 two-tone watch, but I can't live without sunglasses (Dolce Gabbana Aviators currently)

Designs that have caught your eye recently

I love lifestyle products for home, coffee table books on design, photography and arts.

I love rummaging through small stores when travelling and in London recently, I fell in love with cheese platters made from fossilised tree trunks that were stunning.

Each weighed 5 kilos and, sadly, I had to leave them behind.

Your IT tools

iPhone and the Macbook Pro, good Internet and I am good to go!

Favourite spirit

18-year-old Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky

Favourite TV show

Sherlock, Modern Family, travel and cuisine shows, anything on the nature channels (since I do a lot of wildlife photography, am a huge foodie and cook regularly)

Best gift received

Letters from family and friends

Best gift given

Letters to family and friends

Favourite cuisine

Thai, Indian, Italian

Fancy coffee or masala tea? 

Masala chai first thing in the morning; coffee occasionally over a meeting!

Do you fill customer feedback forms? Why? 

Yes, because I feel feedback is important for any organisation to grow and evolve.

I wish we had more feedback in fashion that was direct from the consumer!

Are you a beach or mountain person?

Although I have trekked to the Everest, Kanchenjunga and Annapurna base camps with my father, I am a beach person at heart. I'm also a wildlife reserve person!

Your favourite city? 

Mumbai/ London/ Florence

What's your fragrance? 

L'eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake and Eternity by Calvin Klein. I have been wearing these since I was 14.

The shoemaker you trust your sole with 

I get beautiful handmade loafers from Florence every time I go there.

I absolutely love Clarks for lightweight and comfortable shoes.

Your favourite evening wear 

A black textured French knot embroidery bundi or a textured silk kurta made by me.

What's your weekday breakfast like? And weekend? 

Weekday is quick and frugal; egg sunny side up, toast and bitter orange marmalade from Bonne Maman.

For the weekend, if I wake up on time, eggs, toast, sausages, fruit and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Your current set of wheels 

I alternate between a Honda City and a Toyota Landcruiser for longer trips.

God for you is… 

Belief, strength and solace.

Favourite cafe 

Lots of lovely ones in Paris and a great Irani one in Mumbai for chai, Khari, bun maska and philosophy.

Favourite restaurant 

Indigo Deli and Yauatcha in Mumbai, Hakkasan in London, Trattorias in Florence and lovely street food places in Singapore and Thailand.

A few of your goddesses are... 

Real women who inspire me in many ways -- my wife for being so lovely, mom for being a rockstar, sister for being a partner in crime, and so many inspiring women I meet through work.

Alpha males you know 

Dad!

Your favourite motto 

Keep walking…

Photographs Courtesy: Lakme Fashion Week/Facebook