occupation: artist in the medium of clothing

“People are very insecure as far as fashion is concerned. It’s just something they do to look good and not be criticized, so a quick answer for them is to buy for the brand. I am my own brand.” Shail Upadhya

Shail is in the process of becoming “honest with himself” and finally fully discovering the artist within. He was born in Kathmandu to a family of politicians – three of Shail’s uncle’s were Prime Ministers of Nepal. Though he has always loved dressing up, his parents wanted him to have a “respectable” job, so he became a diplomat at the UN rather than following a creative pursuit. Despite working in politics, Shail’s inner “Lord Gaga” has gotton lots of attention, including meeting Andy Warhol at Studio 54 in the ’80s and numerous features in Bill Cunninghan’s style section of The New York Times. He has always been driven to put his own personality into his wardrobe, as you can see in the witty layers of argyles with sweater upon sweater (I love this look with the knee socks!) and in his whimsical but chic interpretation of a white evening suit covered in polka dots. Shail is taking his self-expression to new heights by designing his own collection of clothes that are hand-painted, based on the designs of the grand masters like Miro, Kandinsky, and Picasso. He says that his ruffled shirt with gold embroidered jacket is his Beau Brummel version of the classic tuxedo, and that he wouldn’t wear it to the UN, but he would wear it to a party given by the Fame Monster herself.

If you like Shail, you might also enjoy Ms. Fitz and Cody Ross.