In this exclusive interview with Ecostylia, Manish Vaid, an Indian-born creator and mechanical engineer turned designer, shares a fascinating journey where tradition and modernity meet. From his immersion in the Los Angeles fashion scene to the runways of Paris Fashion Week, Vaid reveals his influences, his pursuit of sustainability, and his vision of timeless, elegant style. Pierre-Antoine Tsady, who was front row at Vaid’s latest Parisian show, met with him to discuss the tensions between authenticity and innovation in contemporary fashion, while also offering refined advice to readers seeking sophistication. This interview invites readers to discover a designer in search of universal aesthetics, merging cultural heritage with modern design demands.
Interview
Pierre-Antoine Tsady: What motivated you to venture into the world of fashion? Was there a significant event or a particular encounter that sparked this passion?
Manish Vaid: I am a Mechanical Engineer by education, but even during college, I was inclined toward fashion. I would participate in fashion weeks in my city, organize shows, and even choreograph them. When I moved to Miami in 2012, I opened a clothing import company, but moving to Los Angeles in 2014 truly inspired me to start designing myself. The fashion scene in that city was just so dreamy.
P.-A. T.: Which designers or personalities have influenced your vision of fashion? Are there any figures from design or Eastern culture that have particularly shaped your journey?
M. V.: I do not really follow designers on my social media, as I believe that if you see something, you tend to follow the same path and lose creativity. But I like Roberto Cavalli’s resort collections. The choice of fabrics, color patterns, and styling—their design team does an excellent job.
P.-A. T.: You are renowned for your unique sense of style. What elegance tips would you offer our readers, especially those looking to blend tradition with modernity?
M. V.: Since I hail from India, I have seen designer collections heavily influenced by tradition and culture. Since my operations were to be international and not based in India, I ensured that my collections were designed to connect with international buyers and were not defined as ethnic Indian collections.
Today, my collections are available in boutiques in Santorini, Mykonos, Marbella, Gibraltar, Miami, Los Angeles, and beach destinations across Central and South America. I believe I struck the right balance between tradition and modernity, and international buyers appreciated the uniqueness.
P.-A. T.: What aspects of contemporary fashion do you dislike or find misaligned with the essence of elegance?
M. V.: I wouldn’t say misaligned, as price sensitivity is a more dominant factor than styling in today’s world. I often wonder what it was like in the 50s and 60s when everyone dressed so elegantly every day and when we transitioned away from that. Despite this shift, fashion has evolved, and there is a large population to cater to with an ever-growing number of social events, awards, festivals, and other occasions.
P.-A. T.: What practices or approaches in fashion do you advocate for today, whether in terms of design, production, or consumption?
M. V.: As the world moves toward sustainability, that is the path to follow. Fashion cannot emerge at the expense of the environment. In my collections, I avoid using synthetics and animal fur. At the same time, technology must be implemented for better efficiency and outcomes. Working conditions must improve; to meet low price targets, it’s often the workforce that suffers the most, working in harsh conditions for extended hours.
P.-A. T.: In your opinion, what defines style, and how can one cultivate it in daily life?
M. V.: Style is subjective. How well and comfortably you carry your choices will inspire others to follow your style. We tend to use a small palette of colors daily, with similar styles and cuts, but how you combine these elements to stand out defines each new style. It’s quite imaginative and fun.
P.-A. T.: Are there any current trends you find superficial or fleeting? What advice would you give to fashion enthusiasts to avoid falling into these traps?
M. V.: People dressing casually at events where formal attire would be more appropriate is quite off-putting, and it has become an accepted trend. Also, overexposure to grab the spotlight might not be the best approach. There is a fine line between being tacky and classy. Anyone involved in the fashion industry should thoughtfully consider styling.
P.-A. T.: What are, in your view, the essentials that a woman and a man should have in their wardrobe for a timeless and elegant style?
M. V.: A good collection of blazers and coats for men and short jackets for women essential.
P.-A. T.: After several years in the industry, what is your perspective on the evolution of fashion, especially in Asia? Are there practices or approaches you would like to see more widely adopted in the global fashion scene?
M. V.: Over the past 20 years, I have lived in the Caribbean and the U.S. and have mainly been exposed to Western fashion. However, I’ve seen a significant rise in Asian designers participating in fashion weeks in the U.S. and Europe, and that style is catching on globally.
Even designers in Asia have realized that promoting ethnic collections to an international audience can be challenging, so they have adapted their designs to appeal to Western tastes while retaining a hint of cultural heritage. Indeed, Asian fashion should expand globally to increase the variety of styles rather than sticking to cliched choices.
P.-A. T.: How has the rapid evolution of technology influenced your creative process? Do you think technological innovations bring a new dimension to fashion, or do they risk distorting its essence?
M. V.: I’m still old-school and sketch all my collections by hand. I tried using some AI, but I find it more satisfying when the creative part remains organic. The unique selling point of my collections is the hand-beading work directly on the garments, so there’s limited scope for tech involvement.
P.-A. T.: You have showcased your collections in numerous international fashion shows. What has been the most remarkable reception of your work, and how do different cultures respond to your creations?
M. V.: Every Fashion Week has been exciting, and I still remember the response at my first fashion week—Miami Swim Week in 2018. I walked among loud cheers and applause that went on and on. I knew I belonged on these platforms. Fashion TV aired my show from there, and after a few months, I checked and saw over 15 million views. I thought… wow.
But my latest edition of Paris Fashion Week surpassed them all. I did the finale in a cathedral setting near Alesia. It was a different vibe with resort collections, a surprise when people were expecting contemporary gowns. My last look was a long cape in French colors with an Olympic theme, as a tribute to Paris for hosting such amazing games. The audience loved the theme and felt emotionally connected as they remembered the grand sporting event that brought the world to the City of Love.
I can’t forget how everyone in the hall stood up and waited for the designer to walk the runway. It was an incredible feeling to walk amid the loud cheers and applause. It was the result of six months of hard work, and I was relieved by the response. Before the excitement even ended, I was already planning my next collections in that auditorium.