PETER VIRDEE: The Complete Singh
On Fashion
How important is style for you and what do you keep in mind while putting your looks together?
I believe it when they say, ‘first impression is the last impression’ or in Punjabi we would say, “Ek noor aadmi, hazaar noor kapda.” It’s very important to set yourself apart from everyone else. I don’t believe in wearing the typical standard blue grey and black suits. I’m definitely not one to go for the uniform look, I like to play devil’s advocate with my style where it provokes conversation.. When you walk into a room, you should stand out. I don’t mean it in the literal sense by wearing electric colors but your appearance and style should be in-line with your personality, your character – it’s got to be in sync. I believe style is the way to say who you are without having to speak; it should exude confidence and empower you. From your shoes, socks, and cufflinks, down to your tie, belt, and your pen. If you want to push it even further, then even down to your underwear!
Your favourite designers?
In respect to designers, I would say Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli are my preferred choices, as their collections exude simplicity and sophistication. However, for me fashion isn’t about the labels it’s more about the style and the aesthetics of it. As Yves Saint Laurent said it, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” Hence the reason I have my own tailor, as I’m very particular in what I wear and how I wear it. So every fall, I design most of my own styles with my tailor, going through all the different aspects from fabrics, colors, patterns, personal touches, right down to the style of stitching! So before every season, my tailor visits me and we prepare everything for the new collection to see what we’re going to do for that season. I always say buying clothes is one thing but knowing how to wear them is completely different. So I take great pride in my sense of style, as my personal appearance is very important to me. I believe my sense of style to be very versatile yet distinctive – it speaks for itself.
This is all your own input?
“It’s very important to set yourself away from everybody else. When you walk into a room or boardroom, you should stand out.”
Yes – all of it, and he probably hates me for that! I’m probably one of his most awkward customers because I actually go into the finer details of it; from which lining I want, number of pockets, where I want my name, how many buttons, right down to the color of thread! My preferred color is orange as this is my signature color, so I try to use orange wherever I can! So when it comes to my wardrobe, everything is customized precisely to what I want. So I’m sure you’ve gathered by now that I don’t take ‘style’ very lightly which is why I spend so much time on the design elements – it’s my passion. It not only represents my image but more so my character – it’s who I am.
Is there anyone you look up to or does anyone influence you?
Honestly, I’ve never been one to look up to someone. I always do what suits me and makes me content. I believe myself to be a leader and not a follower – and I don’t mean that in an arrogant way but in the sense that having your own mindset and approach is what exemplifies are individuality, it’s what sets us apart from the rest. Me being inspired by what Tom Ford is doing or what Amitabh Bachchan has done or the work that any other significant figure has done for that matter, doesn’t have a direct effect on my work or my mentality. What may work for them, might not be suitable for me. I’m always striving to do bigger and better, so I can lead by example for the next generation and hope the work I accomplish in my life will impact others and inspire them significantly. That’s not to say I won’t try new things, I’m always open to new experiences but if it doesn’t suit my environment or adapts to my style of work, then I won’t do it. As they say “the difference between who you are and who you want to be… Is what you do.”