Nikhil Sharma has been working in the fashion-industry for more than 9 years, earning his stripes. He has stepped out from behind the curtain. He now presents his line Lacquer Embassy to the world.
Nikhil’s combines classic influences with modern culture, focusing heavily on attention to detail and minimalist silhouettes. The label aims to encompass the fusion of the relaxed elegance of youth and luxury with a definite sense of modern aesthetics. The designs are brought about from an uncomplicated perspective and his inspiring ability to be gentlemanly, yet relaxed and unpretentious.
His designs are hybrids that reflect today’s lifestyles without being rooted in any particular time or era.Lacquer embassy launches its first collection the later part of 2013, a meticulously edited capsule line of men’s shirts and pocket squares that embody the effortless sartorial style of a ‘global’ gentleman.
We recently caught up with Nikhil as he describes to us his 7 Days Theory.
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What is your position in the company?
Founder of Lacquer Embassy.
Officially launched September 2013.
How long have you known you wanted to do what you are currently working on?
After receiving Distinction in my M.A.from NTU,UK I worked as a senior menswear designer in London for British high street brands such as Chilli Pepper and NEXT for a couple of years.I then branched out to work as a stylist and a forecast consultant, working for various fashion forecast trend agencies. My styled men’s editorials for journals and coffee table books were published in London, New York and Istanbul. An amalgamation of having worked in the corporate as a designer and working freelance as a stylist/trend forecaster made me reach a point where I was ready to set up a small niche brand of my own with my products and services.
My label Lacquer Embassy was born out of a desire to realize the aesthetics I have cultivated throughout my travels, life experiences, and my own experiments in style.
Why are you passionate about what you do?
To see people appreciate good design & good aesthetics for a better quality of life drives me to do what I do.There is beauty in what each one of us does. To find people who understand the same beauty and share it is what drives me.
How did you overcome your own doubts and the doubts of other people?
I have always gone for my gut feeling and have never been influenced in the decisions I make.Just keep working hard and do what you love regardless of doubts of other people.
What were some bumps you hit to get where you’re at now?
Setting up anything from scratch is not a piece of cake. As I decided to do everything from packaging to sourcing,designs to finance & logistics I had and still have hurdles at every stage.You learn so much with each bump and there never can be a right fixed formula for it.Just the right approach with a right attitude can overcome each new challenge that crops up each day.
What is a way you got your name out there?
I am fairly new so still trying to get the name out there.I suppose in today’s time creative platforms like yours are the best medium for people to find newer and cooler stuff.
Is there anything that almost stopped you from doing this?
I guess you have to stick to what you actually sought out to do in the first place.Of course there will be deviations and steers along the way but all that is what makes the journey worthwhile.Give it a shot!There are times when I am reminded of my previous corporate jobs with everything so easily chalked out for me and all the perks! And I wonder sitting filling out a courier form why would I choose this over that?But then I am reminded of the satisfaction of being in charge of manifesting one’s own vision.
Is there anyone in your profession that you admire and/or model yourself after?
I admire all self made people.When someone starts from scratch with just a few tools of right attitude,vision & honesty supporting good work,they all are my stars!
How do you continue to perfect your craft?
I guess I strive to be aware of things around me through various blogs,portals & online publications.Working freelance for a trend agency helps me to step out of what I do regularly and see what all is going on in the world.That exposure sparks a millions ideas in my head.
How do you envision the future of your product/services?
I would like to see my products in strong stores/retailers who share the same aesthetics.I would like more and more men to take an effort to raise their style quotients with the help of our products and styling services.Menswear has entered a very exciting time since last two years and hopefully we can contribute to it in our own small way.
You have a nice online website. How much of your business is driven by online buyers/clients?
The e-shop is just going to be launched.But because we have already been delivering to people who have responded well to our products,we hope online clients will be one of our main ways to get our stuff out to anyone sitting in any part of the world.
Where can people go to find out more about your awesome products/services?
You can visit:
You can view look-books in the section called ‘Collection‘ and buy products in the section called ‘shop’
What is one thing you did wrong in the past that you can share with people?
Well,if you are stuck in a job and have always wanted to do something on your own do it then and now.I worked for brands/high street as a designer for almost 9 years. So I do wish I had branched out a bit earlier.Though I can’t complain now as the experiences is what has made me chalk out this brand.
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