A London based international designer who has been an essential part of the Hidesign family since 2006. Graduating from one of the best design schools in the world, St. Martin’s College of Art and Design, London, Fabian is passionate about building the brand in luxury segment, given the potential of using the highest quality materials, and its excellence in handcrafting.

Bringing British sense of humour and quirky tastes, Fabian, talks about the upcoming men styles at Hidesign, the difference between designing for men and women, the trends in the mens accessories market as he says, “While colours are fun, what gets a man really interested is a classic shape with all the functionalities thrown in and an intelligent detail that gives the design a fantastic spin!”

Excerpts from interview:

You have been associated with Hidesign since 2006. Any specific reason for visit to India.
During the last 6 years, I have been lucky enough to visit Hidesign in Pondicherry on an average of around twice a year. Although, each time I come here, there is so much new development and my imagination is captured by the infectious excitement.

You are a veteran in designing, tell us how the design sensibilities have evolved.
At the start of my career, I think I wasn’t really sure who I wanted to be as a designer. I think at the beginning, you have a naïve style and tend to be unsure of yourself. I have now evolved into a designer with a good understanding of the accessories market and have gained a unique sense of style, which was probably always there. But now, with many years under my belt, I have gained the confidence to express it and the experience to ensure it follows through to the final product.

How is Hidesign different from other luxury brands.
Hidesign offers a unique lifestyle choice. There is a purity and dedication to our products which isn’t so apparent in other brands. We constantly strive to create products that are made with the love and commitment our customers deserve. As an international design team, the effort put into our products ensure that they are truly unique. We never sacrifice the quality of our bags at the expense of our customers. Hidesign is a brand that evokes confidence, quality and excitement when you make your purchase. There is no smoke and mirrors- what you see is what you get.

How is it designing for Indian Men & how are they different from British.
Deep down, is there really a difference? We may come from different cultures and ends of the earth but I would say our needs are the same. We want to be respected for our choices. We want our purchases to make us feel good and our bags/accessories must continue to grow into our lives. So we are intrinsically linked to a product which evokes the memories of the journey we have taken. Of the uppermost importance to us is that the bag/accessory we buy expresses the person we are, in a way that makes us feel good about ourselves.

Are Indian men particular about certain style/colour or they just pick anything.
I think Indian men have a discerning eye, which is becoming more experienced as the Indian market opens up to the international world. I would say they value well designed products with the level of detail you expect from luxury brands. I would also suggest that they tend to steer to the more conservative side. This slight attraction to be more conservative is not an Indian man’s affliction. I think it is in men in general. Although as the fashion world becomes more adventurous, I see the boundaries are being tested and more experimentation happening in the future.

Is there anything special that you plan to design for Indian men than the usual stuff?
As far as future products go, we have many new developments in the pipeline, including beautiful new leathers, lightweight casual bags and more tech compatible offerings. We have classics and contemporary bags and accessories that should offer something for every discerning gent out there.

What are the forthcoming trends in men’s fashion accessories?
Trends coming through for Fall 12-13 include lots of colour and brights, which mix up the previous years of drab winter colours. Lots of bold prints and a re-look at 1940’s style with double breasted suits and wide lapels being prominent, portrayed in nags with retro-styling, including satchel styles and briefcases with structured handles.

The mix and mash up of patterns is very evident and there is lots of fun to be had with this.  If you are not ready to jump fully into the catwalk trends, then just play with the odd touch of a pop colour (like orange or raspberry), to tease yourself out of your comfort zone.