3 Fits With Ishaan Nair

ISHAAN NAIR IS THE QUIET DISRUPTOR BEHIND FASHION'S SHARPEST FRAMES—A PHOTOGRAPHER and filmmaker with a razor-sharp eye for mood and movement. Nair cuts through gloss to capture the pulse beneath the surface and his work thrives at the intersection of cinema and style. Much like his visual language, Nair’s wardrobe refuses neat labels. On most days, it’s nonchalant, comfortable but wonderfully edgy. It’s a sartorial dialect that proves that for Nair, storytelling doesn’t end behind the camera. It lives on in every texture, silhouette and choice he makes. We catch up with the photographer and filmmaker to decode the bold instincts, subversive nuances and fearless sensibility that shape his visual identity—and the narratives he’s determined to build next in 2026.

Was there a first moment you fell in love with clothing and menswear?

There wasn't really a first moment, but I come from a family of garment exporters in Delhi. My mother, father and uncle were garment exporters that exported to Old Navy and GAP, so fabric was always dinner table conversation. Fabrics were really important to us, like the understanding of fabric, the breathability of it, the quality of it, the stitch, because that’s how my father’s shipments would pass the QCs to go abroad. I think that’s what brought the idea of fashion into my life.

You’ve made compelling style statements over the years—what inspires your unique approach to fashion?

I think it’s being as comfortable as you possibly can...What’s really nice now is that dressing differently is so celebrated, because I come from a generation where you had to wear the same thing everybody else wore. When I was 16, I wore sneakers with my suit to a New Year’s party and everyone teased me for being a loser (laughs). Now, all these years later, that’s what everyone’s doing. I like to be comfortable and wear fabrics that you can sit and stand in and spend a whole day in. So, I like shoes or pants to have versatility—so I can throw on a shirt in the car while stuck in traffic and it becomes a whole new look!

Any designers who inspire your style choices?

There are a couple of Indian designers that I like, especially because wearing Indian clothes was such an important thing in my family. The men always wore kurtas and the women were well-dressed too which changed seasonally—the silks would come out in the winter and the cottons and linens in the summer. My father’s best friend was Rohit Bal’s brother, so seeing him from a young age had an influence. Currently, I like Antar-Agni, Khanijo, 431-88, No Grey Area. They’ve created collections that feel like they’re just for me.

What would you never ever wear?

I would never wear spandex! It might not do me any favours either (laughs). But I’d also not wear the stretch jeans from

the ’90s, which they ended up making in every colour.

What are you currently on the hunt for?

A pair of sunglasses because I lose my sunglasses every four days and I never end up buying expensive ones because of it. I’ve lost three pairs already this year!

If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it consist of?

Some kind of light chikankari kurta and a mundu or dhoti. Maybe even dhoti pants...

It's been 10 years since your film, Kaash. Does the idea of making another film still pull at you?

There was a crazy call I received from someone in Dehradun, who’d caught this freak screening of my film (which is unreleased) at 1am, and told me it was one of the loveliest films he’d seen and why wasn’t I making more films. And that stirred something in me. I’m thinking maybe I’ll attempt it again and definitely keeping that clock ticking in my head.

How has your relationship with cousin Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City, evolved since his stepping into public life and into one of the most visible roles in the world?

Our relationship will always remain the same, we’re a very close-knit family, even though the parameters will now be different. I think what he’s doing is amazing and I can’t wait to see what he does for the world. Zohran is exactly the same as he’s always been—as warm, thoughtful, kind, sensitive, smart, sharp and witty. What’s so beautiful about it is at no point do you see anything come out of him that’s disingenuous. He has a heart of gold.

And what about your aunt, filmmaker Mira Nair?

My aunt is wonderful! She’s the one who brought the visual medium into my life in a big way. We haven’t worked together too much and that’s probably out of choice because I come from a long line of self-made people, so it was important for me to do things on my own and find my own niche. That’s why I moved from photography and advertising into films. I needed the space to discover myself along the way, without the added pressure that expectations bring, because they can so easily shape how others perceive the kind of work you’re meant to do.

Three quirky things no one knows about you?

People are always fascinated when I tell them I don't drink, smoke or do any recreational activities. I also do voices and impressions and I'm a pretty good mimic—and I'm also a closet karaoke singer. I like to make voice memos of myself singing and practice getting them perfect.

PHOTOGRAPHS: AGNIDHRA RAY

STYLING: KOMAL SHETTY

GROOMING: ISHLEEN SETHI

BOOKINGS EDITOR: VARUN SHAH

To read more stories from Esquire India's January 2026 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.