THE FRONT ROW
Grazia|January 2022
British-born Rav Matharu is the first designer of South Asian descent to establish a store on London’s famed Saville Row. The historic moment comes a decade after he founded his independent label, clothsurgeon, which melds modern streetwear with bespoke tailoring. With a foundation steeped in upcycling and collaborative processes, the creative director looks back at the moments leading up to this milestone
TANYA MEHTA
THE FRONT ROW
A former footballer for Leeds United, Rav Matharu might have traded in his cleats to pursue his love for fashion, but its influence has set the tone for his design language. “Football is where my obsession for products began, I was always obsessed with football boots, this gradually progressed into trainers and tracksuits. I’ve always been excited about how we would style our kits for the Away games and what socks we would wear. After returning home from school, I’d spend hours hunched over my computer, sifting through pages on eBay, browsing vintage starter jackets, old-school Jordan’s, I was fascinated with vintage Americana. I was studying it subconsciously under the pretext of looking for a good bargain, like a kid in a candy shop.”

After departing from a potential career in football at the age of 21, Matharu graduated from the Leeds College of Art and Design with a first-class degree in BA Fashion and Technology. He went on to become the head designer at bespoke jacket designer brand, House of Billiam where he mastered his tailoring skills before launching his label. Alluding to its moniker, the designer has always possessed a razor-sharp focus when it came to garment construction and reconstruction, imbibing British suiting, Japanese Wabi-Sabi, and 80s sportswear into his iteration of streetwear.

REDEFINING STREETWEAR

This story is from the January 2022 edition of Grazia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2022 edition of Grazia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GRAZIAView All
EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN
Grazia India

EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN

We go beyond the sun, sand and tan at this tropical paradise

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
A Hard Pill To Swallow
Grazia India

A Hard Pill To Swallow

This travelogue captures the 2023 Cricket World Cup that took place around India, including the Final that devastated us all

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
BAKING MEMORIES
Grazia India

BAKING MEMORIES

From heirloom recipes to the scent of spiced fruits, Mumbai's bakers are preserving the art of Christmas cakes with heart and history

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
NO REST FOR THE WICKED
Grazia India

NO REST FOR THE WICKED

Costume designer Paul Tazewell's work in Wicked is a testament to how thoughtful design can enrich storytelling

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
HEARD OF THE 'PRETTY PERSON PROBLEM'?
Grazia India

HEARD OF THE 'PRETTY PERSON PROBLEM'?

Beauty experts are saying it's what happens when the genetically blessed go full-throttle on the tweakments...

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
HAPPY FEET
Grazia India

HAPPY FEET

With Aquazzura's first boutique in India, creative director Edgardo Osorio discusses the brand's global appeal, its resonance with Indian clients, and the inspirations he finds in the country

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
STRAIGHT-TALKING
Grazia India

STRAIGHT-TALKING

Fashion has always been a romance between the past and present for designer Kresha Bajaj

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
Dump, Discount, Or DESTROY?
Grazia India

Dump, Discount, Or DESTROY?

As the beauty industry goes all out during the festive season, we unpack the fate of unsold holiday-themed products and the growing concerns of overconsumption

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
2024 TRENDS WRAPPED
Grazia India

2024 TRENDS WRAPPED

Six beauty content creators showcase their interpretations of the most-talked-about trends that defined this year

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025
RETURN TO ROOTS
Grazia India

RETURN TO ROOTS

The pioneer of outerwear gives you a distinct taste of British heritage and style

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024/January 2025