When you think of Raghav Chadha, one of Aam Aadmi Party’s key leaders, you wouldn’t imagine him walking the ramp. But he did, for his uncle and fashion designer Pawan Sachdeva, who believes that constant innovation while staying true to one’s design ethos is the need of the hour. On the sidelines of his latest showcase in Guwahati, indianexpress.com caught up with Sachdeva, the style maverick, who spoke about his latest collection, Indian fashion on the global map, and what went behind convincing his nephew to walk the ramp.
Read the edited excerpts below.
Q. Tell us about the best moment in your career till date.
Pawan Sachdeva: I have had many beautiful experiences in my career. One of the most memorable was showcasing my collection internationally at a private event. That remains one of my best moments.
Q. What is the biggest challenge of being a designer in India today?
Pawan Sachdeva: Striking a balance between creativity and tradition. The Indian market is diverse, with constantly evolving consumer preferences and rising competition. There’s a need to innovate while staying true to one’s design philosophy. Social media also adds pressure to stay relevant and ahead of trends. However, these challenges also bring opportunities—to push boundaries, experiment, and create designs that truly resonate with people.
Q. You recently showcased your latest collection at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, Guwahati. Take us through the pieces and what makes them different from your previous creations.
Pawan Sachdeva: The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour is one of the biggest platforms for a designer to express creativity. My collection, The Dis-Aligned, is themed around AT-Leisure and is designed for the youth. I experimented with fabrics like leather, denim, peels, and cotton, using techniques such as enzyme washing, silicon tie-dye, hand painting, brush strokes, and spray painting, all blended in a way it came together as one collection. It’s turned out so well, and is something I will give to the youth, something new, something different, very wearable and very stylish.
Q. You designed many of Raghav Chadha’s outfits, including for his wedding. What was that like?
Pawan Sachdeva: As I’ve known Raghav since childhood, I can say he prefers subtle, minimalistic attire. He doesn’t like anything too loud or vibrant, which also aligns with his political career. For his wedding, I focused on texture and surface detailing rather than heavy embroidery. The cuts were sharp and well-fitted, and I used soft, understated colours to match his personality. The final look was sophisticated yet simple—nothing over-the-top like typical Indian wedding outfits.
Q. At a fashion show, Chadha was also the showstopper for you, a first for him. Did you have to convince him a lot?
Pawan Sachdeva: Raghav naturally embodies elegance and understated style, so the idea of him being a showstopper was exciting. He has a very refined, classic approach to fashion—nothing too flashy, no heavy embroidery—so the challenge was to create something that aligned with his personality while still making an impact on the runway. Once he saw the design, which was tailored to reflect his persona while maintaining a powerful presence, he was entirely on board. It was a first for him, but he carried it easily and confidently, making it a truly memorable moment for both of us.
Q. Many celebrities wear your designs. Who do you think carries them best?
Pawan Sachdeva: Ishaan Khatter, without a doubt! He has an effortless charisma and versatility that make every outfit stand out. Whether it’s a classic look or something experimental, he wears it with confidence and ease. It’s always exciting to see how he adds his own personality to my designs.
Q. How do you balance changing fashion trends with staying true to your design ethos?
Pawan Sachdeva: Fashion is always evolving, which makes it an exciting challenge. As a designer, I have to stay aware of trends while maintaining my signature aesthetic. For me, it is about striking the right balance; the key is to adapt to modern sensibilities while ensuring that each piece reflects authenticity, comfort, and craftsmanship.
Q. How do you see Indian fashion evolving, and where does it stand on the global map?
Pawan Sachdeva: Indian fashion is growing rapidly. In the next decade, I believe India will be a global leader. Our designers are showcasing their work at international events in Paris and Milan and receiving great appreciation. India is on the right track, and I see it becoming a major force in the fashion industry worldwide.
