Stop treating clothes as temporary: Hemant Sagar of Genes Lecoanet Hemant on couture, confidence and clothing that lasts
Genes Lecoanet Hemant is a ready-to-wear label by Indo-French designers Hemant Sagar and Didier Lecoanet, who began as Parisian couturiers. Launched in India in 2000, Genes blends Parisian craftsmanship with Indian artistry to create season-less, conscious fashion. Known for imaginative prints and purposeful design, the brand champions individuality, inclusivity, and artistic expression for a global, urban wardrobe.
HT Lifestyle caught up with the designer for a candid (and couture-worthy) chat on style that endures, the truth behind slow fashion, and why a well-cut jacket beats a trendy reel top any day.
Q: You've dressed royalty, shown in Paris, and now design from India. What's one thing that never goes out of fashion?
Presence. Posture. The way someone carries themselves. You may forget what someone wore but you'll remember how composed they looked. That quiet elegance? Timeless. And yes, it often comes from how something is made, not just how it looks.
Q: What can everyday people take from couture?
Couture was never about glitter. It was about precision and care. Dressing well isn't about having a walk-in closet. It's about choosing with awareness. There's a difference between being clad and being dressed. The latter takes thought.
Q: Everyone's talking about slow fashion. How do we actually embrace it?
Simple, stop treating clothes as temporary. Invest in pieces that hold up in quality and spirit. A well-made garment isn't just stitched, it's considered.
Q: Has the digital era made fashion better or just more performative?
Faster, for sure. But depth? That's rarer. In Paris, couture had rules. You needed craftsmanship, training, cultural credibility. Today, anyone with WiFi can post a 'collection'. But real fashion, the kind that moves people, takes more than filters and followers.
Q: Is fashion becoming more personal than trend-driven?
I hope so. But bold doesn't mean random. Great fashion comes from knowing how to shape emotion into structure. A corset, a shoulder pad, a well-placed dart, they tell stories that last.
Hemant's quick picks:
Wardrobe staple across borders: A sharply cut jacket, to create posture magic.
Luxurious colour always: The perfect pearl (never plain white).
Instant styling tip: Stand tall. Then subtract before you accessorise.
Hemant Sagar doesn't just dress people, he refines them. And in a world obsessed with faster fashion and louder looks, his message is refreshing: Style isn't about standing out. It's about standing right.
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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
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