India’s Leading AI-First Design Institution
Defines the Future of Fashion Through Student Showcase and a Practical
Blueprint for Modern Menswear
New Delhi, 19 October 2026: Championing individual expression over transient trends, Pearl
Academy made a landmark impression at the finale of Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI,
presenting GenAnokhi: India, Worn Your Way, a student-led runway
showcase through First Cut, followed by the launch of The Ultimate Styling
Guide for Modern Men, authored by Pearl Academy Chairman Sharad Mehra and
published by Penguin Random House India. While the showcase explored how a new
generation is shaping the Indian fashion identity, the book examined how
personal style informs the way men dress, make choices and present themselves.
Together, the two highlighted how clothing can be both a creative expression
and a statement of individual identity.
Drawing on the meaning of Anokhi—unique
or distinctive—GenAnokhi explored what the “new Indian look” means to a
generation shaped by global trends, digital cultures and diverse creative
influences. Through contemporary silhouettes, textiles and experimental
styling, student designers reinterpreted Indian heritage through their own
sensibilities. Six artisans representing Charpai weaving, Zardozi embroidery,
handloom wool, block printing, Gota Patti and tassel work, and Charkha spinning
brought traditional craft techniques to the runway, connecting India's craft
heritage with its evolving fashion language. The showcase reflected how style
can express cultural identity while allowing room for individual
interpretation.
That relationship between style and
self-expression extends beyond the runway to everyday dressing. The Ultimate
Styling Guide for Modern Men offers a structured yet accessible approach to
understanding personal style and body types, building a versatile wardrobe,
choosing the right fit and dressing for different occasions. Rather than
focusing on fleeting trends, it emphasises self-awareness and personal
expression, helping men make informed choices that suit their personality and
lifestyle and build confidence in how they present themselves.
“You are your style; the rest is mere detail.
For me, getting dressed is enjoyable because of the little details, whether
it's a colourful suit or the right pair of shoes. This book is my invitation to
other men to have a little more fun with what they wear. You don't need
expensive labels or a rulebook. You just need to know yourself and dress like
yourself, only with a little more confidence,” said Dr Sharad Mehra, Chairman, Pearl Academy.
Sunil Sethi, Chairman, Fashion Design Council
of India (FDCI), added, “Pearl
Academy's First Cut has been an important platform for emerging designers to
gain industry exposure, and GenAnokhi offers an exciting interpretation of
Indian fashion by blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary
perspectives. Fashion and style go hand in hand, and I look forward to Dr.
Sharad Mehra's book, The Ultimate Styling Guide for Modern Men, which promises
valuable insights into modern styling.”
Sharad’s own approach to dressing reflects the
philosophy behind the book. He combines Western tailoring with Indian textiles
such as Ikat, Kalamkari and Chikankari, incorporating colour, unconventional
suits and distinctive details into his wardrobe. Through the book, he
encourages men to move beyond rigid rules and trends to develop a personal
style that reflects who they are.
About the Author
Sharad Mehra is a father, leader, CEO, mentor and chairman—but he has never quite
looked the part of the conventional corporate executive. And that is entirely
by choice.
For Sharad, style has always been personal.
His wardrobe reflects his personality: confident, curious and never afraid to
try something different. Then there are the shoes. With more than 200 pairs,
his collection ranges from classic brogues to colourful sneakers—and some are
proudly displayed in his living room. For Sharad, it is often these little
details that make getting dressed enjoyable.
This book grew naturally from that love of
clothes and years of developing his own sense of style. It is his passion
project and an invitation to other men to have a little more fun with what they
wear. Sharad doesn't believe style is about expensive labels, rigid rules or
following every trend. It is about knowing yourself, expressing yourself and
feeling comfortable in what you choose to wear.
Above all, his philosophy is simple: dress
like yourself—only with a little more confidence.
About Pearl Academy
Established in 1993 under the aegis of the
Creative Arts Education Society (CAES), Pearl Academy is India’s AI-first
design institution with campuses in Delhi-South, Delhi-West, Mumbai, Bengaluru,
and Jaipur. The institution offers undergraduate (B.Des/BBA) and postgraduate
(M.Des/MBA) programmes across Fashion, Styling, Product, Communication,
Textile, Business, Gaming and XR, among others, in affiliation with Rajiv
Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), with a focus on
industry integration, global exposure and future-ready learning.
With over 33 years of legacy and 15,000+
alumni, Pearl Academy collaborates with leading industry bodies and global
partners to nurture the next generation of creative professionals.