Stepping into S & N by Shantnu Nikhil’s first store in Chennai feels like walking into a pristine, curated wardrobe. Shirts are neatly lined up on racks, suits hang in crisp perfection, and the occasional shimmer of sequins bring the drama. 

The retail space aligns with the philosophy of designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil, and what they envision all their stores should feel like. “The philosophy of every store is basically a man coming to his wardrobe,” says Nikhil Mehra. “The environment should sort of regulate your nervous system. It does not intimidate, nor should it feel like the brand is trying too hard,” he explains. 

While the designer duo burst into the scene nearly 20 years ago with their couture label Shantnu and Nikhil, they launched the prestige-pret extension of their label , S&N by Shantnu Nikhil, in 2020. Envisioned as a bridge-to-luxury label which reimagines occasion dressing for the contemporary customer, there are garments for both men and women spanning bandhgalas, draped kurtas, elevated separates, and sculpted gowns. 

Their last collection, The Drift, featured sharply tailored printed and textured shirts, kurtas, bomber jackets, classic trousers, corsets and draped gowns in a predominantly black, white and beige palette with interesting drapes, gender-fluid silhouettes and detailing in the form of embroidery and panelling.  These are clothes for an occassion, a celebration or to simply elevate the everyday with a crisp shirt featuring a pop of embroidery, or a simple draped kurta.

Brand beginings

Nikhil, says that launching S&N in 2020 felt like something they had been waiting to do, for many years. 

“We were incubating a particular style, a sartorial style for men from 2013 onwards, and we were doing a very clean, thinker’s outfit as opposed to having seen India in its sloppy menswear avtar until then,” Nikhil recalls, of their couture origins. Sharply tailored, neat menswear, has always been what the designers have excelled at, and he says there was much thinking that went into how men were dressing for weddings then, “We reflected on how an Indian man would celebrate; was it through embroidery, silhouettes, fabrics, textures or something else?” 

Post an investment from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited in 2019, it was clear to the designer duo that they were ready to reach out to a wider market, through a prestige-pret label. S&N was then born. Their retail-driven approach has meant opening 19 stores across the country, with the latest being the ones here in Chennai, as well as in Pune and at Chhattarpur, Delhi. 

At Chennai, as in every other city, Nikhil says the brand is keen not to localise the retail experience. Instead, it is banking on consistency and a loyal, repeat customer base, going by the way its designs have resonated across cities over the years. “More than how the store looks, it is about the product and the layout within which we function. We always consider the movement of our clients, much like water finding its way, guiding them to the right shirt, jacket, or kurta,” he says. 

The fifties are back

When asked who wears S&N best, Nikhil believes that there are certain personality types that resonate with the brand, and its vision. “I love how Farhan Akhtar wears us, there is a sort of understated authority he brings to a look. Hrithik Roshan is another favourite, and Ishaan Khatter brings a sort of swagger which is not pretentious. Ranveer Singh as well, wore our three pocket jacket with a kurta which looked amazing,” he says. 

The label more recently, had a memorable big screen moment with Akshaye Khanna wearing a bandhgala from S&N in Dhurandhar; in the viral scene where he steps out of a car and breaks into a dance to rapper Flipperachi’s FA9LA. “The bandhgala really seemed to fit his charm and I was really happy to see that the brand feels diverse enough to be worn not just by personalities, but by characters,” he adds. 

With men now experimenting with oversized shirts, high waist pants, double pleats and wide-legged trousers, Nikhil points out that the fifties fashion favourites are making a strong comeback. “Men are focussing on clothes which are not body hugging but personality hugging,” he laughs. “There is a big shift from body to personality and it feels like a great time for us.”

Diwali may be months away, but preparations are already underway at S&N. Nikhil says he and Shantanu are currently developing the brand’s festive collection, drawing inspiration from the vibrant palette of Kutch. 

“We are bringing forth all the bright, beautiful colours of Kutch. We feel this Diwali is going to bring a lot of happiness, and that’s why we are working with colours that will affect the world positively,” he says. 

S&N by Shantnu Nikhil is at the ground floor of Express Avenue Mall, Royapettah. Prices from ₹6,000 onwards.