Vivek Karunakaran - fashionabc

Vivek Karunakaran

Indian fashion brand

Summary

A paragon of style himself, fashion designer Vivek Karunakaran has been voted as one of the ‘50 Best Dressed Men in India’ by GQ three years in a row. A blend of the classic and contemporary, his versatile designs are a celebration of the progressive and empowered personality.

History

Vivek Karunakaran has carved a niche for himself in the fashion industry with his impeccable collections on the catwalks. A paragon of style himself, the fashion designer has been voted as one of the ‘50 Best Dressed Men in India’ by GQ three years in a row. A blend of the classic and contemporary, his versatile designs are a celebration of the progressive empowered personality.

A top favourite with celebrities and fashionistas, Vivek Karunakaran has styled personalities such as Christian Louboutin, Ranveer Singh, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Anil Kapoor and many more. “At VK we love to style bold men and women who fearlessly stand up for what they believe in. Be it clothes or decor.. the VK aesthetic is gender inclusive, minimalistic and timeless. With a universal appeal, the design exemplifies a cross-cultural expression of both Indian and global sentiments,” per his official website.

“Be it clothes or decor, the VK aesthetic represents a new minimalistic culture of refined and progressive design depicting gender equality and cross-cultural expression relevant to both India and the world,” per Delta Leaders.

Vivek Karunakaran made headlines with a certain hashtag all over our social media timelines. Flawsome — defined as “an individual who embraces their ‘flaws’ and knows they are awesome regardless” — was the mantra and it was shared by several celebrities including Anil Kapoor- GQ Editor Che Kurrien- Andreah Jeremiah- Abhinav Mukund and S Badrinath. As one of the few fashion designers from South India with a national presence he had a specific aim. “I want India to notice that we- in this part of the country- are also capable of creating style-centric campaigns. It is not just saying we do good stuff here it’s about projecting the good stuff we do” he told The Hindu.

In 2019 Vivek Karunakaran launched his pret label: VK Essentials. “When we launched this new line under Vivek Karunakaran last week, we wanted to create a product that was easy to wear, high on style with a great value for money. When we buy a designer shirt, it is almost always for an occasion so here’s a product that can be repeated and has an element of style,” he told Indulge Express.
Brand Vivek Karunakaran presently retails from the VK Flagship Store in Chennai and multi designer stores across India including AZA, MaalGaadi, 85 Lansdowne, Fuel, Ensemble and many more. Other than having a strong presence across India, VK has also carved a presence within the fashion fraternity in Riyadh, Dubai and Singapore.

Mission Statement

Be it haute couture- pret- or decor, Chennai-based Vivek Karunakaran’s mission is to create fashion that empowers bold men and women who confidently stand up for their beliefs. The brand is dedicated to styling individuals who are not afraid to express their authentic selves through their clothing choices. It focuses on offering a gender-inclusive aesthetic, combining minimalism with timeless design. The designer strives to create collections that appeal universally, appealing to those who seek refined, progressive fashion that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.
Vivek Karunakaran also aims to bridge the gap between traditional Indian craftsmanship and modern global influences. His designs reflect a cross-cultural expression, creating pieces that are both meaningful and stylish, catering to individuals who appreciate the fusion of diverse influences.

Vision

With a strong underlying spirit that symbolises distinctiveness and progressive thinking.. Indian fashion designer Vivek Karunakaran envisions creating beautiful apparel and accessories for spirited men and women who fearlessly represent what they believe inThe brand’s aesthetic is described as gender‑inclusive, minimalistic and timeless, with universal appeal. And it seeks cross‑cultural expression, blending Indian and global sentiments, aiming to bring luxury occasion wear to both men and women by combining regional craftsmanship with international design cues. Ultimately, his vision is not just about fashion but about identity and empowerment: creating pieces that allow individuals to embody a progressive, empowered personality.

Key Team

Vivek Karunakaran (Founder)

Recognition and Awards

Vivek Karunakaran is recognised for sleek, contemporary menswear and womenswear. Voted as one among the Best Dressed Men in India by GQ, the fashion designer has been a catalyst of change in the Indian fashion industry and an ambassador of style.

Products and Services

Indian fashion brand Vivek Karunakaran retails haute couture and luxury pret for both men and women, in Chennai. A neat blend of regional artistry and International influences, the luxury label effortlessly caters to the sartorial choices of shoppers across the globe. Boasting masterful craftsmanship in a range of pure fabrics and handcrafted detailing, the VK label makes a style statement that’s truly elegant and edgy.

References