The lift stops on the fourth floor and as I step out, I notice wooden planks piled on one side as some construction work is underway. As I glance to my left, a glass door, with Narendra Kumar boldly written on it, welcomes me. It opens into a pristine-white world replete with an array of fresh summery clothes neatly arranged. Although, the official store opening is five hours away, everything is immaculately placed. Once inside, I find the designer dressed in a casual floral shirt and lime-green trousers sprinting across the store running last-minute checks. It is refreshing to watch a designer of his stature to be so hands-on.


Designer Narendra Kumar at his newly-launched store in Khar. Pics/Shadab khan 

"I don't believe in sitting inside a cabin and giving orders. I still do my own illustrations. I like to be involved in every aspect of creating a garment. I have been working with the same core team for the past 15 years and I treat each member with equal respect," says the man who started his career as a photocopy machine salesman and is today the only designer whose store has been featured alongside iconic brands such as Tom Ford, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Valentino on Esquire's Big Black Book of style.