Samuel Berlie and Pratichee Mohapatra
Samuel Berlie and Pratichee Mohapatra

The most influential musicians have always had unique style. Be it the king of pop Michael Jackson, who often dressed in his trademark black and white with just a spot of sparkle on his glove; or more recently Lady Gaga and her outrageous outfits. Their style is an extension of their talent, their music, their mind and their heart. When we talk about India, the voices are familiar, but the face generally hides behind an actor. That’s not the case for singer/songwriters Samuel Berlie and Pratichee Mohapatra.

Samuel Berlie and Pratichee Mohapatra
Samuel Berlie and Pratichee Mohapatra

They went retro, and then they went intense and dark. They had fun, and they got down and serious. It was all about their changing moods and expressions. Tanaaz Aibara conceptualised and styled a shoot on the lines of “Music Meets Fashion”  which was not an idea, but more of a view point that every artist, be it a designer or musician has a great impact on society and vice versa. It is always portrayed by the songs one writes and sings, and through the clothes one wears. Here’s some of the magic they created…

Pratichee Mohapatra
Pratichee Mohapatra

World over there is a strong connect between fashion and music, be it Rihanna, Lady Gaga or the one and only Madonna , musical icons who have influenced a whole generation in the manner they dress, do their make-up or cut their hair! I hope to see a better such connect in our own country, where singers & musicians are seen as much as they are heard, facing their own audience instead of taking pride in singing in the background for some actor or actress.

– Pratichee Mohapatra

Samuel Berlie and Pratichee Mohapatra
Samuel Berlie and Pratichee Mohapatra

I had a strong connect with the retro vibe as that’s the music I am closely associated with when I play across the country with my band, “The Other People.”  I think the famous retro number Funky Town would be perfect to describe our mood,” says Sam. But then they shed the light mood and decided to look deep. “It was a complete transformation as I am naturally a happy, shiny person. So you really have to make an effort to brood and get that intensity. It’s like when I am in a melancholy mood, I would listen to Pink Floyd’s Shine on You Crazy Diamond

– Sam.

Samuel Berlie
Samuel Berlie

It just goes to show that musicians can interpret fashion the same way they interpret the world — with passion and that artistic flair. While this was just a glimpse, we can’t wait to see more!

Credits: Photographer Jamshed Havewala, Make-up Kharishma Captain and Hairstylist Natasha Pradhan. Clothes by Krishna Mehta, Jewellery by Stone.Wire.Love and the iconic Hummingbird acoustic guitar by Gibson India.