Charge of the fashion police: Stylish Modi pleads simplicity, denies hiring a designer

An appreciable number of politicians among the ruling party have started wearing the 'Modi-Kurta'

Dispelling rumours about his outfits and to restate his modesty, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he did not have any designers for his unusual outfits, including his signature short-sleeved kurta.

“It is just rumour that I have a fashion designer. I only dress simple,” Modi said to a student who praised the former for his “unique sense of dressing” calling him a “brand ambassador for Indian clothing.” Modi was visiting a school on the eve of Teachers’ Day which falls on September 5.

“[The] 'Modi kurta' has become so very popular. What do you have to say about it?” the student asked.

Read: Modi suits up and puts his name on it

“I come from a humble background…the weather in Gujarat is not that cold. So I wear kurta-pyjama. I had to wash my own clothes and full sleeves took more time to clean. So I cut off the sleeves and made it the sleeveless kurta. It made my work easier so I started wearing short-sleeves,” Modi said with a smile.

The outfit, now called the ‘Modi-Kurta’ has found a large following, predominantly among politicians with an appreciable number of the ruling party adopting it.

Traditional kurtas are knee-length and have full-sleeves till the wrists.

“I always made it a point to look tidy. I didn’t have money to get my clothes ironed, so I ironed my kurta with charcoal in a lota (pot),” Modi added.

Modi also unhesitatingly told the students that he used chalk sticks to whiten his shoes.

“After the class, I collected chalks and whitened my canvas shoes with that. This is all I did. I have no fashion designer. But yes, we should be tidy and dress according to occasion,” he concluded.

Modi has been lauded for his appearance and distinct style, especially when abroad. his ‘bandhgala jacket’ and hallmark signature ‘Kurta-churidar’ have now become famous.

The high-point of his fashion sense came when he wore a suit with monogrammed pinstripe as he welcomed US president Barak Obama in January.

His critics, however, called him a “megalomaniac” for the move.

This article originally appeared on The Indian Express