Rajesh Pratap Singh's Love Affair With The Royal Enfield Classic 350
For Rajesh Pratap Singh, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 embodies a sense of freedom - a freedom he applies to clothing as well
The crowd is restless. A beautiful model takes a deep drag on his cigarette, ash falling on his boots. He doesn't really care. Another jostles for a drink at the bar, his biceps straining against the thin mesh top he's wearing. Someone clicks a picture. Another shakes his head: no, the angle is bad. There's a shriek of laughter. The joke wasn't that funny but at gatherings such as these, amusement is currency.
We're 10 minutes away from the grand finale of the FDCI India Men's Weekend 2025 and it feels like all of Jaipur is at Diggi Palace. They are here to celebrate Rajesh Pratap Singh and his new collection. All we've been told is that Singh is "breathing new life into traditional techniques". That he will be "weaving these techniques into a modern design language". It's all very cryptic and hush-hush.
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As we take our seats, two men approach an installation in the centre of the runway presentation. A prod here, a poke there. A liquid is poured into the circular structure. A blaze. Flames lash out at the night sky. "I hear there will be bikes," murmurs my neighbour. He turns out to be correct. A voice announces that the show is about to begin but it's drowned out by a familiar 'thud-thud'. The sound is rich and distinct, like a beating heart. A pack of Royal Enfield bikes appear and begin circling the fire pit. Yawns stop mid-way, but jaws remain open. Conversations peter off. Eyes widen.
A man arrives on the ramp dressed in a sharply tailored, double-breasted black overcoat, the white turtleneck inside clinging to his body. His jawline is sharp. His gaze is sharper. The smudged eyeliner enhances the angularity of his face.
Another appears in a blazer that exposes his toned midriff, the draped black bottom falling asymmetrically, adding a hint of softness to an otherwise strictly structured look. Cell phones come out and within seconds, he is on the internet, immortalised.
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The showstopper, however, is a full-length black coat with a fitted bodice and flared bottom. It has a sheen to it, the material reflecting the firelight, making it seem edgier than it is. The model's bronzed skin and textured dreadlocks accentuate the drama of the ensemble.
It's all quite thrilling.
"We don’t really overthink design philosophy or creative vision - it’s instinctive. The moment you over-articulate these things; they lose their essence. Our approach is rooted in honesty and purity," Singh tells me later. He doesn't like to define these things or take himself too seriously. But we all know that.
His self-effacing manner and dedication to craft have remained constant throughout his career.
He's also not a fan of what he calls "promotional noise", especially those around personal style. Individuality is important, yes, but comfort is paramount. What one wears should be a reflection of their comfort and confidence, he believes. And it should certainly not be dictated by a brand or a fashion trend. "It makes them happy, that's all that matters," he says.
And what about the bikes? What draws him to this machine?
"Growing up in Jaipur, motorcycles were everywhere, especially Royal Enfield bullets. They’ve always been one of my vices. I’ve always had a motorcycle in the garage, though I don’t get to ride it as often these days - Delhi’s roads aren’t exactly inviting. For us, motorcycles are the new-age horses. It may sound cliché, but they embody a sense of freedom," he says.
There's something inherently masculine about a bike - it's the electric guitar of vehicles. At the FDCI Men's Weekend 2025, the Rajesh Pratap Singh man stands out, looking like the Royal Enfield Classic 350 in human form.
"From The Banna racing down Jaipur city streets to a milkman from Jhotwara, the cult of the bike resonates with everyone," a note given to us at the show's start read.
By the time the last model walked, the cult of the bike had resonated with everyone sitting there at Diggi Palace as well.