Kunal Rawal on Ranbir Kapoor’s Style Evolution: “I’ve Always Loved His Relationship With Style…”

When it comes to contemporary Indian menswear, Kunal Rawal has built a distinctive identity by bringing together traditional craftsmanship, modern silhouettes and a strong sense of functionality. His designs have become favourites among some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Anil Kapoor.

Over the years, Rawal has gone beyond creating occasionwear. His work has helped shape a more relaxed, versatile and contemporary idea of what Indian menswear can look like. In an exclusive conversation, the designer reflected on his journey, his celebrity collaborations, Bollywood’s impact on his creative process and the future of Indian fashion.

“I’ve always loved Ranbir Kapoor’s relationship with style”

Among the many actors Rawal has worked with, Ranbir Kapoor stands out for his natural approach to fashion.

Asked which actor has surprised him the most with his fashion evolution, Rawal said, “I’ve always loved Ranbir Kapoor’s relationship with style.”

According to the designer, Ranbir’s fashion appeal comes from its authenticity rather than an obvious attempt to follow trends.

“It never looks like he’s trying too hard or chasing a trend. He wears clothes because they feel like him,” Rawal said.

That effortless quality has long been part of Ranbir’s public style identity, making his fashion choices appear personal rather than carefully manufactured.

Shahid Kapoor’s wedding remains a defining moment

For Rawal, however, one celebrity styling moment holds particular emotional importance: Shahid Kapoor’s wedding.

The designer described it as his most defining styling moment because Shahid became his first groom, marking an important chapter in Rawal’s journey to redefine modern Indian occasionwear.

His work has since become closely associated with celebrity weddings, red-carpet appearances and high-profile celebrations, where traditional Indian elements are often given a contemporary interpretation.

From Bollywood to the “World of KR”

Rawal’s relationship with cinema goes deeper than celebrity dressing.

The designer explained that his years working in costume design influenced the way he approaches fashion today. Bollywood taught him to think about clothing as part of a larger story rather than as an isolated garment.

His design language incorporates ideas around storytelling, functionality and details such as mock-layering, helping create what he describes as the “World of KR”—a complete narrative that extends beyond individual clothes.

Sonam Kapoor remains a rewarding creative collaboration

Rawal also singled out Sonam Kapoor when discussing his most rewarding collaborations with Bollywood personalities.

For him, the strongest creative relationships are those that challenge an artist’s existing way of thinking.

His association with Sonam has provided exactly that kind of creative exchange, allowing fashion to become a collaborative process rather than simply a designer dressing a celebrity.

The Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding changed the conversation

When asked which wedding or red-carpet moment helped change the conversation around men’s fashion in India, Rawal pointed to the high-profile wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant.

While the celebrations attracted enormous attention globally, Rawal believes the focus on menswear craftsmanship was particularly significant.

The event showcased the growing importance of intricate craftsmanship, custom clothing and luxury Indian menswear, reinforcing the idea that men’s fashion can command as much attention as bridal and womenswear.

What defines the “Kunal Rawal man”?

Rawal’s ideal customer is not someone who simply follows fashion.

He describes the “KR man” as a contemporary Indian man who combines tradition with modernity. For him, comfort, craftsmanship and functionality are equally important.

The philosophy is particularly relevant to occasionwear. Rawal believes clothing should allow men to celebrate, dance, travel and move comfortably—and ideally be styled and worn in multiple ways.

Most importantly, the KR man dresses with conviction rather than dressing purely to follow a trend.

A new chapter for the World of KR

Rawal says menswear will remain at the heart of his brand, but the wider World of KR is expanding.

His upcoming projects include a new couture collection, expanded footwear and accessories, a campaign music video and an original music collaboration with Akshay & IP.

Music has increasingly become part of the brand’s identity, with tracks such as Ishq Mitha and Sehra finding their way into sangeets, baraats and wedding playlists.

For Rawal, the idea is not simply to create fashion or music independently, but to make both part of the culture surrounding celebration.

“We’re entering a golden age for Indian fashion”

Looking ahead, Rawal is optimistic about the direction of the Indian fashion industry.

He believes India is entering a “golden age”, with traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design increasingly influencing one another.

Rather than treating heritage as something that belongs only to the past, he sees an opportunity to reinterpret India’s craft traditions through a modern lens.

At the same time, he believes today’s consumers are becoming more selective, looking beyond marketing and seeking brands with a genuine design philosophy and recognisable point of view.

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Life with fellow designer Arpita Mehta

Rawal’s creative life also extends into his home, where he shares his personal and professional world with fellow designer Arpita Mehta.

The designer describes the two as “chalk and cheese”, suggesting that their contrasting approaches actually strengthen their relationship.

Their discussions often revolve around the smallest product details, with both designers deeply invested in their individual design languages.

Rather than seeing their careers as a competition, Rawal says their relationship involves healthy creative banter, mutual respect and a constant exchange of ideas.

“Live and let live”

For Rawal, the biggest lesson from marriage is simple: “Live and let live.”

He believes couples do not need to agree on everything or attempt to change one another. Instead, a strong partnership comes from giving each other enough space to grow.

And when the demanding fashion calendar finally allows them a break, Rawal says the greatest luxury is surprisingly simple—sleep.

With both designers navigating the same hectic festive calendar, an ideal day off together is simply about switching off and spending time away from the pressures of work.

For Kunal Rawal, fashion may be about craftsmanship and creativity, but the larger story appears to be about building a world around those ideas—one that connects clothing, culture, music, celebration and the people who bring it to life.