THE BIONIC REVOLUTION
While designing a custom-tailored jacket for Bollywood icon Salman Khan, we embarked on a creative journey that would shape the future of our collection. The idea was born from a blend of traditional hand-painted art with a futuristic, cyborg-inspired twist. What started as a playful experiment with paintbrushes and leather quickly evolved into a groundbreaking design philosophy—taking the classic leather jacket into uncharted, futuristic territory.
Painting on leather has always presented a unique challenge, especially when clients provide minimal guidelines. However, this freedom allows room for experimentation, risks, and artistic expression, and in this case, it led us to something extraordinary. The gamble paid off, and this one jacket became the cornerstone of an entire collection that fused the organic with the mechanical, the past with the future.
THE BIRTH OF CYBORG ART
The initial sketches for Salman Khan's jacket drew from an array of cyborg references—robotic limbs, mechanical parts, and futuristic tech. But we wanted more than just cold, hard machinery; we wanted to merge it with the fluidity of traditional painting. As I painted the front of the jacket, each stroke brought a new dimension to the design. The fluidity of paint contrasted perfectly with the rigid, metallic elements of the cyborg concept. This juxtaposition between soft, hand-painted strokes and sharp, mechanical details became the defining feature of the collection.
THE IRON MAN JACKET
With Salman’s jacket setting the tone, we expanded on the idea to create another standout piece: the Iron Man Jacket. This version featured striking blue leather with black sleeves, shifting away from the original black-on-black design. Bold red accents were added to make the jacket memorable and visually distinct. The result was a design that captured attention and served as the springboard for a full collection dedicated to the fusion of organic and mechanical elements.
THE BOY WITH THE IRON ARM
After experimenting with fully painted jackets, I felt compelled to try a more minimalistic approach. We focused on creating a singular, powerful feature: a robotic arm design adorned with carefully placed studs. The monochrome color palette allowed the details to truly shine, with the sleeve becoming the focal point of the design. The body of the jacket was then crafted to complement the sleeve, ensuring that the attention remained where it was intended—on the intricately detailed arm.
MEAN MACHINE
Taking the robotic arm concept to new heights, we aimed to push the boundaries of realism and complexity. Rather than relying solely on paint to create depth, we added flaps and leather patches shaped like mechanical parts. These elements made the jacket feel alive, as though the machinery could spring into action at any moment. We also incorporated snaps and flat studs, transforming the jacket into a three-dimensional masterpiece that blurred the line between fashion and wearable art.
THE HEXAGON STORY
Hexagonal structures have long been a staple in futuristic design, seen in everything from military gear to high-tech gadgets. We took inspiration from this motif, integrating a honeycomb pattern into the jacket’s design to represent unfinished cyborg coding. The hexagons became a metaphor for the fusion of human and machine. Red accents—introduced through zippers and a burgundy lapel—added a youthful, rebellious twist to the jacket, while leather patches and straps gave it a grounded, tactile feel.
RAW STITCHES
In keeping with the post-apocalyptic, grunge aesthetic, we created a jacket that embraced the raw, unfinished look. The monochrome palette allowed the rugged, distressed elements—eyelets, leather straps, and raglan shoulder detailing—to shine. This piece exuded a street-ready attitude, while still staying true to the futuristic bionic theme that ran through the collection.
STEAMPUNK LEATHER
While much of the collection adhered to a monochromatic palette, we wanted to inject some color into the designs without sacrificing the tough, mechanical edge. Steampunk Leather introduced teal and blue splashes that added vibrancy to the jackets. Red and maroon details were woven in, keeping the collection cohesive, while also providing a break from the black and white tones that dominated the earlier designs.
SPLATTER BIKER
Texture and movement became the focus of the Splatter Biker jacket. By pairing leather with denim, we created a canvas for a splatter effect in dirty white and soft pastels. The asymmetrical splashes of yellow, red, and blue gave the jacket an organic feel, while studs and eyelets added structure, keeping the design in line with the rest of the collection’s grunge-meets-futuristic aesthetic.
HOODED HAVOC
For a more youthful, street-style silhouette, we introduced a hooded jacket made from waxed denim and leather. Hooded Havoc brought together street fashion and high-fashion grunge, with machine parts painted directly onto the leather patches. The seamless blend of fabric and paint created a cohesive look, while the hood added an urban flair that made the design stand out.
FIERCE & FREE
Returning to the biker jacket aesthetic, The Werewolf's Growl became a key piece in the collection. Silver YKK zippers, customized with the label’s name, added a grunge, metal edge. The zippers on the sleeves gave the jacket a youthful vibe, while a leather strap hanging from the side pocket contributed to the urban, street-ready feel. After several design iterations, we settled on a growling wolf motif, perfectly capturing the fierce, untamed energy we wanted to convey.
PRIDE & POWER
We introduced a tribal element to balance the futuristic, apocalyptic theme of the collection. For The King of the Jungle, I worked with denim for the first time, creating a jacket that featured a hand-painted lion, dreamcatcher, and animal skull. The washed-out fabric gave the jacket a rustic, worn look, while the tribal motifs added a layer of ancient symbolism to the modern design.
DENIM ANIHILATIONS
To offer a spring-summer alternative to the collection's leather-heavy designs, we created Denim Annihilations—a sleeveless denim jacket with leather patches. This youthful, biker-inspired look emphasized comfort and flexibility, avoiding the stiffness that often comes with painted denim. The result was a light, breathable jacket that still packed a punch in terms of style and attitude.
THE DESTRUCTION
We took a different approach with The Destruction, playing with blue and black denim to create a high-contrast look. After constructing the jacket, we gave it a wash to add a grunge vibe, complete with rips, bellow pockets, and zippers. The final result was a rebellious, youth-centric design that stayed true to the collection’s overarching themes of destruction and renewal.
THE SLY VICE
For the grand finale of the collection, we knew we needed something that would truly leave a lasting impression, so we went back to basics, but with a twist that would elevate the entire runway experience. The Sly Vice was the ultimate showstopper outfit, worn by none other than Bollywood star Gurmeet Choudhary, who brought the design to life with his effortless style and bold persona.
Indigo denim served as the foundation for this masterpiece, providing a rugged yet polished canvas. We incorporated leather straps, patches, and zippers to bring both functionality and flair to the ensemble, with every element thoughtfully placed to enhance the overall silhouette. The simplicity of the design allowed the craftsmanship and fine detailing to take center stage, making it a fitting conclusion to a collection that merged street grunge with futuristic sophistication.
Gurmeet’s presence on the runway gave the outfit the commanding aura it deserved, wrapping up the show on a high note and capturing the essence of everything the collection stood for: bold, rebellious, and unapologetically stylish. The Sly Vice not only sealed the narrative of our collection but also left a powerful, lasting impact on the audience, making it a true showstopper in every sense of the word.
In this journey from sketch to garment, we forged a collection that merged the rebellious spirit of street fashion with the sleek, high-tech vision of a bionic world. Each jacket told its own story, from the fierce growl of the wolf to the mechanical intricacies of a robotic arm. Through meticulous detailing, bold experimentation, and a touch of traditional artistry, we created something truly unforgettable—a collection that is as much about the future as it is about the present.
