Two distinct design worlds. One statement-making collaboration.
An exclusive editorial conversation conducted by Harshit Hundet, Editor-in-Chief of FACE Magazine, with Shantnu & Nikhil on their first-ever venture into eyewear with John Jacobs, exploring the creative philosophy behind The Shape of India and the coming together of Indian couture and Italian design sensibilities.
Eyewear has evolved beyond its functional purpose to become one of the most defining expressions of personal style. A carefully chosen frame can communicate individuality, character and confidence, transforming an everyday accessory into an extension of one’s identity. When two distinctive design philosophies come together, the possibilities extend far beyond conventional fashion collaborations.
This creative intersection takes shape in The Shape of India, a 32-piece eyewear collection by John Jacobs in collaboration with S&N by Shantnu Nikhil, the prêt label of celebrated Indian couturiers Shantnu & Nikhil. Marking the designers’ first-ever venture into eyewear, the collaboration brings together John Jacobs’ Italian design sensibilities and eyewear expertise with the distinctive creative vocabulary of the Indian fashion house.
Drawing inspiration from influential Indian personalities whose eyewear became synonymous with their identity, the collection revisits iconic silhouettes through a contemporary design perspective. From classic wayfarers and aviators to round frames and bold square structures, familiar shapes are reimagined for a generation that views personal style as an expression of individuality.
The collection’s identity is particularly evident in its detailing. The signature S&N insignia, precision metal streak detailing along the temples and discreet navy-blue and cherry-red accents incorporated into the folding hinges create a distinctive connection to the designers’ established aesthetic.
Spanning eyeglasses and sunglasses, the collection brings together varied silhouettes, materials, colours and finishes, balancing expressive design with everyday functionality. Conceived to complement everything from everyday wardrobes to festive dressing and occasion-led ensembles, the frames position eyewear as an integral part of contemporary style.
BEYOND COUTURE: A NEW CREATIVE CHAPTER
For Shantnu & Nikhil, entering the eyewear category represents a natural extension of their creative universe. Their design philosophy has consistently explored the relationship between Indian heritage, contemporary glamour, distinctive silhouettes and evolving interpretations of masculinity.
Eyewear, with its ability to influence the character of an individual’s appearance, offered an opportunity to translate these established design codes into an entirely new medium.
Reflecting on what drew them towards the collaboration, Shantnu explains that eyewear has always fascinated the designers for its ability to define personal style. The opportunity to work with John Jacobs presented an exciting possibility to extend their design philosophy beyond clothing.
At S&N by Shantnu Nikhil, the focus has always been on pushing the boundaries of occasion dressing through glamour, individuality and a contemporary interpretation of classic forms.
Nikhil shares a similarly personal connection with the category, having collected and appreciated eyewear for years. For him, the right frame has the ability to transform an individual’s entire appearance.
The precision of Italian craftsmanship and John Jacobs’ understanding of eyewear design became important elements in bringing their shared creative vision to life.
REINTERPRETING INDIAN HERITAGE THROUGH A CONTEMPORARY LENS
At the heart of The Shape of India lies an exploration of cultural identity and the visual legacy of influential Indian personalities.
The designers were particularly interested in how certain eyewear silhouettes became inseparable from the personalities who wore them. These frames were more than accessories; they became recognisable symbols of conviction, intellect and individual character.
Nikhil describes the inspiration as an opportunity to revisit these familiar visual references while introducing a contemporary interpretation.
With a nod to the early 1970s and its distinctly androgynous approach to fashion, the collection moves between classic rounds, aviators, wayfarers and bold square frames. The combination of colours, materials and finishes gives these familiar forms a renewed identity.
The designers also brought the established codes of their Maison into the collection. The Adamas insignia, precision metal detailing and signature navy and cherry-red accents appear across the frames, particularly along the temples and hinges.
It is this translation of familiar design elements into a new category that gives the collection its distinctive identity.
TWO DESIGN WORLDS, ONE CREATIVE VISION
Meaningful collaborations are often defined by the creative understanding shared between the participating brands. With John Jacobs and Shantnu & Nikhil, the common ground emerged from a shared appreciation of individuality, craftsmanship and design-led expression.
The collaboration, which took several months to develop, involved exploring different silhouettes, proportions and materials while paying close attention to how each frame would complement the face.
For Shantnu, the starting point was to look beyond the functional purpose of eyewear and consider how a pair of glasses could become an expression of confidence and personal identity.
That philosophy eventually evolved into The Shape of India, a collection inspired by iconic personalities but designed for a new generation that is comfortable expressing itself through fashion.
The result is a collection of 32 distinctive frames, each reflecting an interpretation of the shared creative vision.
THE SHAPE OF INDIA: AN ICONIC LEGACY, REIMAGINED
There is something fascinating about how eyewear can become an inseparable part of an individual’s identity. The collection revisits the visual legacy of influential Indian personalities whose frames became almost as recognisable as the people themselves.
Rather than reproducing these iconic references, the designers have interpreted their spirit through contemporary proportions and a more expressive design vocabulary.
The early 1970s serve as an important creative reference, particularly through their androgynous approach to fashion. This influence is reflected in the collection’s interplay of rounds, aviators, wayfarers and bold square silhouettes.
The result is a collection that balances nostalgia with modernity, bringing historical design references into a contemporary context.
SOFTNESS IN MASCULINITY: REDEFINING CONTEMPORARY STYLE
One of the more interesting design philosophies reflected in the collection is the idea of softness in masculinity.
For Shantnu & Nikhil, this has long been an integral part of their creative language. It represents a form of confidence that balances strength with softness, moving away from conventional expressions of masculinity.
Over the years, the designers have explored this philosophy through signature drapery, sharp tailoring and a more fluid approach to traditional menswear.
With John Jacobs, the same philosophy finds expression through defined silhouettes, softer contours and considered detailing.
The collection’s androgynous appeal, varied proportions and expressive shapes allow individuals to interpret the frames according to their own personal style.
Rather than prescribing a particular way of wearing eyewear, the designers have created a collection that leaves room for individual expression.
WHERE COUTURE MEETS THE PRECISION OF EYEWEAR DESIGN
Translating couture sensibilities into eyewear presents a different set of creative considerations. Unlike clothing, where designers can experiment with layers, movement and volume, eyewear occupies a more defined space and interacts directly with the contours of the face.
Even the slightest change in proportion, width or angle can influence the overall appearance of a frame.
Nikhil highlights the importance of this balance, explaining that the creative process involved extensive consideration of the width and angles of the frames, the curves around the temples and the materials used.
Acetate, metal and tortoiseshell finishes were explored alongside different interpretations of the house’s signature accents.
The objective was to create frames that carried a strong design identity without compromising comfort and everyday wearability.
It is this balance between visual character and functionality that brings the two design philosophies together.
BEHIND THE COLLABORATION: THE JOHN JACOBS PERSPECTIVE
From John Jacobs’ perspective, the collaboration represents an opportunity to explore new design territories by bringing together two distinct creative sensibilities.
Abhimanyu Mishra, AVP, John Jacobs, believes that the association reflects the brand’s continuing interest in pushing the boundaries of eyewear design.
With S&N by Shantnu Nikhil, the collaboration brings Italian design and Indian couture together through a shared focus on craftsmanship, considered materials and distinctive design details.
The interplay of classic silhouettes, S&N motifs and signature navy and cherry-red accents gives the collection a recognisable identity while allowing both brands to retain their individual creative character.
It is this meeting of different design perspectives that distinguishes The Shape of India within the collaboration’s creative narrative.
BEYOND A COLLECTION: THE FUTURE OF FASHION COLLABORATIONS
Beyond its 32 individual frames, the association represents a broader conversation about the relationship between fashion houses and contemporary lifestyle brands.
As eyewear becomes an increasingly important part of personal style, collaborations such as this create opportunities to introduce established fashion philosophies into new product categories.
For Shantnu, the most interesting collaborations are those that bring a fresh perspective to familiar categories.
Working with John Jacobs has allowed the designers to explore the relationship between fashion and eyewear in a natural way, while opening up new possibilities for creative expression and reaching audiences who enjoy experimenting with their personal style.
The collaboration also reflects an evolving approach to fashion, where design identities are no longer confined to a single category but can extend across a wider lifestyle universe.
BUILDING AN INDIAN LUXURY MAISON: THE VISION AHEAD
For Shantnu & Nikhil, the larger ambition extends beyond individual collections and collaborations. It is centred on building an Indian luxury Maison with a distinctive design identity that can evolve across fashion and lifestyle.
Over the past twenty-five years, the designers have developed different expressions of their creative universe through Shantnu Nikhil Couture, S&N by Shantnu Nikhil and Shantnu Nikhil Cricket Club.
Together, these labels span ceremonial couture, Prestige-Prêt and everyday lifestyle essentials.
Shantnu describes their long-term ambition as building India’s first true luxury Maison, with a design language that extends beyond clothing.
The collaboration with John Jacobs marks another step in that direction, introducing eyewear as an additional expression of the house’s creative identity.
The focus remains on expanding into categories where their established design language can find a natural place while building a recognisable identity across fashion and lifestyle.
A NEW LENS ON INDIAN DESIGN
Ultimately, The Shape of India is a conversation about identity, heritage and the evolving language of contemporary design.
For Shantnu & Nikhil, it represents the extension of an established creative vocabulary into a category that is deeply personal and expressive. For John Jacobs, it is an opportunity to bring together Italian design sensibilities and Indian couture through a collection rooted in craftsmanship, individuality and considered detailing.
What makes the collaboration particularly compelling is its attention to the nuances of design. The signature insignia, precision metal detailing and understated navy-blue and cherry-red accents demonstrate how a fashion house’s identity can translate into a new category without losing its essence.
Across 32 distinctive interpretations spanning eyeglasses and sunglasses, the collection positions eyewear as an essential component of contemporary dressing, moving effortlessly between everyday expression and occasion-led styling.
Two distinct design worlds have come together, not to replicate one another, but to create something that carries the character of both.
And perhaps that is the true statement behind The Shape of India: seeing design through a different lens while remaining unmistakably individual
ABOUT JOHN JACOBS
John Jacobs approaches eyewear as a canvas for individual expression, bringing together fashion-forward design, material innovation and a commitment to quality. The brand believes in the ability of eyewear to influence personal style and expression, with an emphasis on experimentation, contemporary aesthetics and accessible design.
ABOUT LENSKART
Founded in 2010, Lenskart is a technology-driven eyewear company operating an integrated platform spanning design, manufacturing, branding and retail. Its portfolio includes prescription eyewear, sunglasses, contact lenses and eyewear accessories. Its omnichannel platform incorporates technology-led features, including AI-driven recommendations and 3D try-on experiences.
ABOUT S&N BY SHANTNU NIKHIL
S&N by Shantnu Nikhil is the Prestige-Prêt extension of Maison Shantnu Nikhil, translating the couture house’s distinctive design codes into a progressive ready-to-wear language designed for moments that matter.
With a contemporary take on occasion dressing, S&N brings together sharp tailoring, expressive silhouettes and an unmistakable sense of glamour, celebrating the freedom to dress up, stand apart and make every occasion your own.
Editorial note: This feature is based on the interview responses and official brand information supplied to FACE Magazine.
