Most people don’t think of Wisconsin as the epicenter of fashion. Legendary designers like the late Virgil Abloh and the late Iris Apfel attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, but it’s easy to forget that fashion visionaries can find their footing here when our city streets showcase Badgers gear and practical outerwear more often than haute couture.
But for Kabir Singh Chawla, even Wisconsin’s frigid winters create opportunities for style.
“If I went to any other school in any other area of the country, I just wouldn’t be myself,” Chawla says. “There’s different layers and footwear to experiment with in the colder months. I think it’s really important to be able to shed a layer and still be fly.”
While Chawla spent most of this summer in scrubs (he’s studying animal and veterinary biosciences at UW–Madison and plans to go to veterinary school), he’s passionate about fashion. He’s modeled for local business August Shop and collaborated with trendy brands like KidSuper and Kardo — and he’s also the DEI lead for The Vault, UW–Madison’s student-run fashion organization.
“For me, diversity in fashion is very important,” he says. In addition to driving his interest in diversity, his Sikh faith and his Punjabi heritage have also shaped his day-to-day style.
“Growing up, I would always match my turban to my clothes and then go from there,” he says. “It kind of blossomed from there as I started to learn more about my aesthetic.”
He also draws inspiration from his Punjabi heritage, which has a rich history of textile-making, including phulkari, a type of embroidery that often features bright colors and floral or geometric motifs. (In a recent video posted by The Vault featuring Chawla, his very first “essential” item was a hand-embroidered phulkari bag.)
“I like incorporating things like that into my wardrobe,” he says.
For now, Chawla enjoys modeling on a freelance basis, but hopes to create his own brand someday.
“Once you see what designers do and you know what’s out there, you can push the boundaries and say, hey, I want to take this and make it my own,” he says.
A Q&A: More fashion talk with Kabir Singh Chawla
A trend you love?
Faded or discolored garments. I think it gives the piece character and shows that love was given to it. It’s gotta be natural though — some designers try to capitalize off of it.
The best accessory is …
A perfect gold chain. Mine happens to be my dad’s wedding gift that I’m “borrowing.”
Style origin story
Shoes are actually what got me into fashion to begin with … I started out with sneakers, but now, being in Wisconsin, I get to experience boots and other forms of footwear that I like to use as well.
Madison shopping stops
August Shop, Rethreads and Good Style Shop, to just name a few.
The fall wardrobe staples
My new Ami sweater, what I call my Aimé Leon Dore “stompers” (green low-top duck boots) and my grandpa’s old Dior shirts.
Favorite designers
Virgil Abloh, Pharrell Williams and myself.
Your style
I’m very into balancing different patterns, different colors, different tones and kind of having an outfit or an aesthetic be super cohesive.
The perfect back-to-school fit
Baggier bottoms and a statement piece of a unique color, design or material. Add a matching turban and some jewelry … and that’s perfect.
“Style Icon” is a monthly column written by Anna Kottakis. To nominate a Madison local with a striking personal style or a unique fashion perspective, email akottakis@madisonmagazine.com.
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