Ever dreamed of sitting down and chatting with a fashion designer to find out what their inspirations are or where they hope to take their brand? Well how about getting fed by one? I recently got to do a little of both in Paris - the fashion capital of the world. I invite you today to meet Sandeep Sahni managing and creative director of l'Homme Invisible.
Ask me what I know about the world of fashion and I could fill up about one paragraph max if that. Then ask me what I know about men's fashion and you won't get a peep out of me expect may a name or two of some model or another. I would never have thought that much thought needs to go into men's pants, shoes or anything else for that matter as they all basically seem to look the same. How many ways could you cut a pair of pants and still call it a pair of pants?
So imagine finding out that someone I know has bought a men's underwear brand! Stop the presses, what? I'm nearly blushing when I consider the visuals. But let me assure you that men's undies is serious business and I can happily say that I learned a little something and can regard it now with an admiring eye - never mind the grin on my face as I browse the company's site.
When I asked Sandeep Sahni, the man behind the new face of l'Homme Invisible for an interview, I was incredibly thrilled when he suggest that I come over for a home-cooked Indian dinner. I really miss good Indian food so how could I resist. Now that's the kind of interview I like - he had me at home-cooked.
A bit of brand history: L'Homme Invisible, was created in 1986 by Patrice Chevreux and was known as the creator of the concept of masculine lingerie. And the brand also was one of the pioneers in the high-end masculine underwear market. Finally men too could be comfortable in their under garments as if it was a second skin. In the 1990s l'Homme Invisible was everywhere. But by 2010 the brand was as invisible as its name. This was when our interviewee, Sandeep Sahni whose background is in fashion design and business, brought the company back from the crypt when he offered to buy it from Monsieur Chevreux.
It's taken him 1 and a half years but the brand is back in the limelight once again with points of sale at the Galeries Lafayette and high-end boutiques in Paris, Nice, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Avignon & Nancy. You can also order online through their online boutique.
While many big brands who shall remain nameless, are moving their factories out of France, Sandeep hopes to bring l'Homme Invisible, which can be defined as a European brand as all the fabric is European and it is produced in Europe, back in France for a 100% made in France label.
Where are you from originally?
I'm from Chandigarh, India [in Northern India].
How long have you lived in Paris and what brought you here?
I've been living 12 years in Paris. I had not intended to stay originally. I came to study at IMF (Institut de la mode). My plan was to return to India and create my own brand. Post graduation an internship turned into a CDI (full-time contract) and he stayed. Sandeep remained with the company for 6 1/2 years. I always dreamed of working on my own so of course he was looking for how to fly solo.
Ah yes, Sandeep is one of the many expats who planned on passing through Paris and ended up calling it home.
Who are your clients?
Mostly heterosexual males from about 35-59 years old who have nothing to lose and want as much comfortable in their underwear as a woman gets in her bra. Something comfortable and sexy.
What brought you to pursing fashion?
Wanted to do something glamorous. Fashion for me at the time was about parties. What fashion really is about is late nights, lack of inspiration and months of labor. I have a sense of style and design. I [essentially] work with existing designs and make modifications. I know what a good thing makes a nice product.
What inspires you in your designs?
Fabric inspires me! Travelings, the seasons. Sandeep is not just the man behind the brand. He is also a consulting designer for several well-known French brands. For his clients he frequently makes trips to India to get ideas for fabrics based on what's possible to produce and brings his technical know-how to his design skills for some of his
Sandeep shows me a photo of his parents and I can see where he gets his energy and sense of style from just by looking at it. He tells me:
When I was growing up in Chandigarh, we had a hair salon that sometimes catered to Bollywood stars and I would get very excited about possibly meeting one. My father said to me that instead of waiting for the stars to arrive that I should become the one that everyone is waiting for.
Why a men's underwear brand?
Too many men are wearing the wrong underwear. As any spectator can attest to when seeing the number of men constantly re-adjusting themselves.
For Sandeep and l'Homme Invisible, it is about luxury first. From the selection of material used - he is looking into a silk line next, to how orders are taken. Each client's order is handled with care and the seamless process between when you order online (you can ask questions before placing your order), and when you receive the package with a little note. His clients are loyal and the website makes it easy to come back again and again.
What's your take on Paris fashion?
Parisians don't take risks. It's all black, gray or beige. Most of the Parisian based brands tend to be repeats.
So then what's new in men's fashion?
Wearing colors is refreshing. Men are paying more attention to how they look and the cut of their clothing. Men are taking more risks in terms of clothing especially in terms of colors. Just look at nature. Males have always been more colorful, so it makes perfect sense.
During all this chatting, I was treated to a very delicious vegetarian Indian meal that Sandeep had been putting together since the day before. A labor of love.
The food was delicious! For starters we had, Samosa & bonda. Our main courses included, basmati rice with quinoa, moong ki dal, palak paneer, boondi rayta, aloo-beans and for dessert, rasmalai. As an accompaniment Sandeep served us some home-made spicy mint sauce for which he refuses to share the recipe though he did give me a sample to take home. After all that good food I had to ask:
Who taught you to cook?
I loved cooking since childhood. I was making samosas at the age of 5.
What's one of your favorite restaurants in Paris?
Sandeep loves eating at home and why shouldn't he when he can whip out these delightful dishes? But he tells me he likes Villa Papillon a Thai restaurant in the 2nd. I know the people and the food is always good.
What advise would you give people who decide to embark on their Paris dream?
Paris is a city that grows on you. Paris is a small city with the advantages of a big city. Each neighborhood is self sufficient.
So what's next?
Jewelry, he says, another addition to the glamor that he wishes to surround himself in. And I can't wait to see it.
So guys, if you are ready to take the daring plunge into added comfort, visit the l'Homme Invisible website and place your order today. In the meantime, you can check out their ever so popular You Tube video
Ask me what I know about the world of fashion and I could fill up about one paragraph max if that. Then ask me what I know about men's fashion and you won't get a peep out of me expect may a name or two of some model or another. I would never have thought that much thought needs to go into men's pants, shoes or anything else for that matter as they all basically seem to look the same. How many ways could you cut a pair of pants and still call it a pair of pants?So imagine finding out that someone I know has bought a men's underwear brand! Stop the presses, what? I'm nearly blushing when I consider the visuals. But let me assure you that men's undies is serious business and I can happily say that I learned a little something and can regard it now with an admiring eye - never mind the grin on my face as I browse the company's site.
When I asked Sandeep Sahni, the man behind the new face of l'Homme Invisible for an interview, I was incredibly thrilled when he suggest that I come over for a home-cooked Indian dinner. I really miss good Indian food so how could I resist. Now that's the kind of interview I like - he had me at home-cooked.
A bit of brand history: L'Homme Invisible, was created in 1986 by Patrice Chevreux and was known as the creator of the concept of masculine lingerie. And the brand also was one of the pioneers in the high-end masculine underwear market. Finally men too could be comfortable in their under garments as if it was a second skin. In the 1990s l'Homme Invisible was everywhere. But by 2010 the brand was as invisible as its name. This was when our interviewee, Sandeep Sahni whose background is in fashion design and business, brought the company back from the crypt when he offered to buy it from Monsieur Chevreux.It's taken him 1 and a half years but the brand is back in the limelight once again with points of sale at the Galeries Lafayette and high-end boutiques in Paris, Nice, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Avignon & Nancy. You can also order online through their online boutique.
While many big brands who shall remain nameless, are moving their factories out of France, Sandeep hopes to bring l'Homme Invisible, which can be defined as a European brand as all the fabric is European and it is produced in Europe, back in France for a 100% made in France label.
Where are you from originally?
I'm from Chandigarh, India [in Northern India].
How long have you lived in Paris and what brought you here?
I've been living 12 years in Paris. I had not intended to stay originally. I came to study at IMF (Institut de la mode). My plan was to return to India and create my own brand. Post graduation an internship turned into a CDI (full-time contract) and he stayed. Sandeep remained with the company for 6 1/2 years. I always dreamed of working on my own so of course he was looking for how to fly solo.
Ah yes, Sandeep is one of the many expats who planned on passing through Paris and ended up calling it home.
Who are your clients?
Mostly heterosexual males from about 35-59 years old who have nothing to lose and want as much comfortable in their underwear as a woman gets in her bra. Something comfortable and sexy.
What brought you to pursing fashion?
Wanted to do something glamorous. Fashion for me at the time was about parties. What fashion really is about is late nights, lack of inspiration and months of labor. I have a sense of style and design. I [essentially] work with existing designs and make modifications. I know what a good thing makes a nice product.
 |
| Hand-painted design project from his fashion school days |
What inspires you in your designs?
Fabric inspires me! Travelings, the seasons. Sandeep is not just the man behind the brand. He is also a consulting designer for several well-known French brands. For his clients he frequently makes trips to India to get ideas for fabrics based on what's possible to produce and brings his technical know-how to his design skills for some of his
When I was growing up in Chandigarh, we had a hair salon that sometimes catered to Bollywood stars and I would get very excited about possibly meeting one. My father said to me that instead of waiting for the stars to arrive that I should become the one that everyone is waiting for.
Why a men's underwear brand?
Too many men are wearing the wrong underwear. As any spectator can attest to when seeing the number of men constantly re-adjusting themselves.
For Sandeep and l'Homme Invisible, it is about luxury first. From the selection of material used - he is looking into a silk line next, to how orders are taken. Each client's order is handled with care and the seamless process between when you order online (you can ask questions before placing your order), and when you receive the package with a little note. His clients are loyal and the website makes it easy to come back again and again.
What's your take on Paris fashion?
Parisians don't take risks. It's all black, gray or beige. Most of the Parisian based brands tend to be repeats.
So then what's new in men's fashion?
Wearing colors is refreshing. Men are paying more attention to how they look and the cut of their clothing. Men are taking more risks in terms of clothing especially in terms of colors. Just look at nature. Males have always been more colorful, so it makes perfect sense.
During all this chatting, I was treated to a very delicious vegetarian Indian meal that Sandeep had been putting together since the day before. A labor of love.
The food was delicious! For starters we had, Samosa & bonda. Our main courses included, basmati rice with quinoa, moong ki dal, palak paneer, boondi rayta, aloo-beans and for dessert, rasmalai. As an accompaniment Sandeep served us some home-made spicy mint sauce for which he refuses to share the recipe though he did give me a sample to take home. After all that good food I had to ask:
 |
| Sandeep prepares us a delicious meal |
Who taught you to cook?
I loved cooking since childhood. I was making samosas at the age of 5.
What's one of your favorite restaurants in Paris?
Sandeep loves eating at home and why shouldn't he when he can whip out these delightful dishes? But he tells me he likes Villa Papillon a Thai restaurant in the 2nd. I know the people and the food is always good.
What advise would you give people who decide to embark on their Paris dream?
Paris is a city that grows on you. Paris is a small city with the advantages of a big city. Each neighborhood is self sufficient.
So what's next?
Jewelry, he says, another addition to the glamor that he wishes to surround himself in. And I can't wait to see it.
So guys, if you are ready to take the daring plunge into added comfort, visit the l'Homme Invisible website and place your order today. In the meantime, you can check out their ever so popular You Tube video
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A super post and well done to Sandeep .. I would certainly buy these for my husband and maybe my sons would like them too :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. I placed my order for a certain someone but it's a surprise. : )
DeleteMarvellous.. Chandigarhians are proud of you Sandeep.. Way to go...
ReplyDelete