Since 1989 Arjun Khanna has stood as a titan of Indian menswear, his name synonymous with the pinnacle of bespoke tailoring. As the guiding force behind his eponymous label - Arjun Khanna, he continues to shape the sartorial landscape of the subcontinent with an unwavering commitment to artistry and an innate understanding of timeless style.
A true artist, not restricted by boundaries or convention, Arjun is a passionate perfectionist! An early tryst with fashion meant schoolbooks filled with sketches of collars, cuffs and women’s silhouettes. This was the beginning of what was to become a passionate love affair with design – a romance that gave birth to the eponymous label as it is today.
The Origins
Arjun studied fashion design in England. He returned to Mumbai armed with a zealous vision and the determination to make India sit up and take notice. In 1989, Arjun Khanna was established and today has its own extensive production facility in Mumbai, which includes in-house tailoring, embroidery and finishing facilities. In just a few years, India did sit up and take notice.
Over the last 35 years Arjun’s avant-garde philosophies on fashion and style, together with his innate entrepreneurship, have been integral to his pioneering contribution to men’s fashion in India. Perhaps best known for revolutionizing men’s fashion with his intricate detailing, impeccable tailoring and rich, opulent designs, Arjun has created a style signature that has become a hallmark of the Indian fashion industry.
Boardrooms to Bollywood
From actors and celebrities to business moguls, Arjun’s clients live all over the world. Gautam Singhania, Anand Mahindra and Rahul Bajaj and other top Billionaire industrialists are all his clients, as are Shekhar Kapur (who wore his Sherwani to the Oscars) and Zakir Hussain. The renowned world music group ‘Shakti’ (John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar and T.H. Vinayakram) was also dressed by Arjun when they toured the world in 2007.
He has strong "Arjun Khanna"loyalists in the film and modeling circuit too – current Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor swears by Arjun’s creations; Hollywood superstar Will Smith, during his trip to Mumbai in 2006, was bowled over by Arjun's design and bought several outfits for himself. In the sports circuit, cricketing god and batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, former Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, bowler Harbhajan Singh, World Cup star Yuvraj Singh and motor racing driver Narain Kartikeyan have all specially ordered bespoke creations and worn them on special occasions. Billionaire British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, also wore an Arjun Khanna Sherwani at the Virgin Mobile launch in the city in 2008.
The Journey
One of the Arjun’s proudest moments came in early 2011 when he was handpicked to design the official formal team wear for the entire Indian National Cricket Team prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, which the team duly went on to win and create history. All members of the World Cup winning cricket team were outfitted in bespoke Arjun Khanna attire for the entire tournament and thereafter and this unique partnership continues to grow. In July 2011, Arjun was requested to design special limited edition ties to commemorate the 100th Test Match between cricket’s two oldest teams England and India, which were presented to 100 individuals involved with the match between the two nations held at the home of cricket, Lords in England from July 21-25, 2011.
In late 2024, he was the first and only designer in the Bombay Gymkhana’s history to be commissioned to create a special line of limited-edition blazers exclusively to celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary. These pieces draw inspiration from the timeless elegance of classic vintage sport jackets found in fabled cricket and tennis clubs worldwide, from the MCG to Wimbledon. Each jacket masterfully blends classic sophistication with modern flair, making them ideal for both formal occasions and casual celebrations.
The Pursuit of Passion
An avid photographer and connoisseur of all things vintage and retro, Arjun has an enviable collection of Leica cameras and vintage motorcycles which he has passionately procured and painstakingly restored over the years. Beginning with the legendary Royal Enfield’s, today he’s also the proud owner of a string of other motorcycles like the 1938 Norton 500cc, a classic British motorcycle company based in Birmingham. Other special pieces are a 1955 Triumph Tiger, the 1950s AJS (A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd), and the Matchless (1950). Another showstopper in his collection is a 1960 M20 BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) and an all-American 1940s war-era Harley Davidson WLA.
In 2021, he established his flagship boutique in Kala Ghoda, a discerning space for gentlemen to explore their sartorial dreams. Over the years various global brands have chosen to collaborate with Arjun Khanna including Harley-Davidson, Kaya, Leica, Tag Heuer and many others.
A Love Affair With Denim
Beyond the realm of couture, however, lies another enduring passion: denim and vintage workwear. This lifelong obsession, documented in a personal library of rare books and a collection of over 300 vintage pieces – from iconic Levi’s 501s to prized Wrangler rodeo cuts – has subtly influenced his collections for years. As he enters his fourth decade in the industry, Arjun is channeling this deep understanding of denim's history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance into a specialist new label - AKOG, exclusively retailed in international markets like Southeast Asia and Japan.
This specialist label is an artisanal exploration of denim and vintage workwear aesthetics, handcrafted in India by master artisans. Each limited-edition piece, crafted from the finest Japanese selvedge denim and vintage textiles, embodies the traditions of bespoke tailoring, military detailing, and the rugged history of workwear.
AK OG is characterized by its painstakingly detailed hand-construction – think Sashiko stitching, Boro patchwork, and intricate embroidery – all executed with a purist's appreciation for fabric, form, and function. Every garment is conceived, cut, and crafted under Arjun’s personal direction. These are not merely garments; they are collectible grails, offering a unique blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and timeless style.
As a couturier par excellence and a true master of bespoke, Arjun Khanna understands that clothing is a powerful extension of self-expression – an embodiment of beauty, timelessness, and effortless wearability. With this guiding principle, he has established a new standard of understated elegance and joie de vivre, crafting collections where each design transcends mere fashion to become an unforgettable experience for the wearer.
