Dhanesh Chheda, Partner & Designer, Just Men India, gives Amber Dias an insight into why fitness and fashion go hand-in-hand for him, and the ideologies that are shaping his business.
“I’ve always loved fashion, ever since I was a child. It’s something that’s just always been a part of me,” says Dhanesh Chheda, Partner & Designer at Just Men India, a bespoke men’s clothing service that’s been in the business for over 30 years. The brand boasts of an elite clientele both nationally and internationally, and prides itself on delivering a luxurious experience and delivering suits that are cut to perfection and reflect the wearer’s confidence. We sat down with Dhanesh to chat about what makes Just Men India a cut above the competition and the journey that led him here.
Starting out
The best success stories are the ones that weren’t planned but seem to arise out of circumstance. Dhanesh shares his story, “I initially aimed to be an IAS officer. However, life had other things in store for me. I lost my dad right before my entrance exams and decided to join the family business of retail and fashion. Just Men was a venture started by my brothers and on returning to India after doing a year-long course at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, there was no looking back for me.”
Fashion & Fitness
A love of fashion has been nurtured alongside a passion for fitness which Dhanesh discovered at the age of eight, and is something that feeds into his design philosophy as well. He reveals, “Fashion and fitness are the very essences of life. My advice to everyone out there is to stay healthy and fit. Fitness is not about six-pack abs, but about being comfortable and confident in your own skin. And that can only come from a healthy body and mind which will exude confidence, and everything will then look good on you.
A Cut Above
The world of fashion is a competitive one but that doesn’t faze Dhanesh who believes in following his design philosophy and delivering the very best for his clients. “Fashion is fierce and constantly changing. At Just Men India, we strongly believe in working with the clients, understanding their personality and lifestyle. And we design every piece keeping them in mind.
“Fitness is not about six pack abs, but about being comfortable and confident in your own skin. And that can only come from a healthy body and mind which will exude confidence and everything will look good on you.”
“My preference for simple, straight cuts and colours coupled with the latest trends and designs inspires us to come up with clothes with the utmost level of finishing and quality. This process is the motto behind every piece of bespoke clothing produced by Just Men India,” says he.
As a brand, Just Men India is poised to change the way men perceive fashion and teach them how to dress by keeping it simple and classic. A vision that was set over 30 years ago when it was first launched, continues to evolve. “We have been in the business for the last 30 years and it has been an eventful journey to build a legacy to last many generations.”
A Matter Of Balance
We are often led to believe that success can only be achieved through sacrifice of the self, but as Dhanesh believes, finding time for one’s self is just as important as the work you put into building a career. He avers, “My advice to everyone out there is to find a work-life balance. It’s important to carve time out for yourself and do something you love. Make time to stay healthy in the very fast-paced world we live in today.”
