Whispers of Spring: Varun Bahl’s Poetic Ode to Renewal at FDCI India Men’s Weekend 2025
There is a light that agrees to come out of its shielded self in spring, a quiet metamorphosis, a poetic dance of renewal that opens up as a flower ready to bloom, a passage eagerly waiting for rejuvenation. It is a transition that Emily Dickinson once captured in her verse, a space where winter’s hush dissolves into the golden hum of new beginnings, where one keenly finds a sense of belonging.
At FDCI India Men’s Weekend 2025, under the twilight-kissed sky of Jaipur, Varun Bahl unveiled his Spring/Summer 2025 menswear collection, “Whispers of Spring.” A collection that does not merely dress men but composes them into poetry, where every silhouette, every drape, and every embroidered petal is a stanza in a lyrical ode to a specific moment in spring, when one can feel the ephemeral beauty of nature and the self intertwined in the most self fulfilling way possible.
Dickinson’s Influence on “Whispers of Spring”
Emily Dickinson, in her poem A Light Exists in Spring, speaks of a light that is neither owned nor replicated, a fleeting moment where nature holds its breath before exhaling into bloom. This ephemeral transition serves as the soul of Varun Bahl’s collection. Just as Dickinson’s poetry teeters between melancholy and awakening, Bahl’s designs echo the duality of change, the soft unraveling of winter into the delicate unfurling of spring.
From the depths of black sherwanis reminiscent of winter’s enigmatic stillness to ivory-hued kurtas and airy printed sets that evoke the sun-dappled warmth of spring’s embrace, each garment captures the passage of time and the transformation of light. The silhouettes speak in the language of movement, layered bandhgalas, breezy organza kurtas, and structured yet weightless bundis mirror the season’s gentle push forward, an interplay of structure and ease.
The Art of Reimagining Menswear
With “Whispers of Spring,” Bahl redefines the boundaries of Indian menswear, introducing a softer, younger, and more versatile approach to ethnic dressing. Traditional silhouettes are liberated, bomber jackets with zippers replace rigid formality, belted bandhgalas introduce an effortless cinch, and layered kurtas offer a fresh take on ceremonial wear. Movement becomes a philosophy, allowing men to transition seamlessly from grand celebrations to intimate evenings without losing the poetic essence of their attire.
The palette follows nature’s rhythm, embracing powder blues, moss greens, stone greys, and muted corals, hues that mirror the moment the sky shifts from dusk to dawn. The choice of lightweight fabrics – linen blends, silk organza, and chanderi—ensures breathability, reflecting the very air of spring itself.
A Collection Rooted in Philosophy, Crafted with Purpose
Beyond its aesthetic brilliance, Varun Bahl’s philosophy remains deeply intertwined with sustainability and ethical craftsmanship. The collection upcycles past materials, reinterpreting them through intricate patchwork embroidery, reinforcing the idea that rebirth and renewal are not just poetic concepts but conscious practices.
A New Beginning: Anticipating the Arrival
While “Whispers of Spring” has graced the runway with its poetic charm, its journey has only just begun. The collection is set to arrive in stores in the first week of March, marking the season of renewal with garments that embody transformation, lightness, and timeless craftsmanship. A fresh chapter in Indian menswear is about to unfold, where heritage meets innovation, where fashion is not just worn but experienced, where every piece is an ode to the quiet power of renewal.
As Jaipur’s evening air whispered through the runway, the collection stood not just as clothing, but as a verse—an exquisite articulation of Spring’s return, stitched in fabric and drenched in poetry.