Taking His Time

His wardrobe has ninety shades of black and sneakers, Martin Margiela is a designer he admires, and the simplicity of his designs for Moynat belies their complexity. Meet RAMESH NAIR, the creative director of one of the world’s most luxe brands.

- Priyanka Khanna

“Moynat is more than a brand; it is an expression of craftsmanship, design and a very Parisian way of living so that even simple, everyday objects can attain extraordinary levels of quality and style,” says the Kerala raised Ramesh Nair, creative director of the house that was founded by entrepreneur Pauline Moynat in 1849. When Nair decided to revive the brand in 2010, after nearly three decades, he looked to carry on the tradition of artisanal leather goods with an unparalleled eye for craftsmanship. Vogue speaks to Nair about what fuels his creativity.

So much is said about quiet luxury. What’s your take?

I compare it to moving air: when it’s a gentle breeze you enjoy it but you don’t really focus on the breeze, you just feel good about it. This is quiet luxury. A strong wind can be exciting, but you have to fight it to find your own centre. That’s conspicuous, cacophonic luxury. Moynat designs are not meant to overpower your senses but to enhance your presence and personality. I built our style signatures around shapes, structure and details such as metallic components, as well as the effortless use of colour. What brings it all together is the harmony and balance between the elements. What looks simple and obvious at first glance is very complex and multi-layered when you look deeper. My design philosophy is very strong on “invisible design,” in the sense that the best design is that which blends seamlessly with the user.