Style Matters

While appearances do matter in today’s times, it’s mostly just about how you present yourself. Whilst it’s important not to succumb to brands, it is also necessary to understand the value of what goes behind them —actor JOHN ABRAHAM reveals to ANITA KHATRI as he speaks of what time and style mean to him

What does the concept of time mean to you?
Time to me is very precious. It’s a transitory state of mind. I think that at any given time, a person should always think of what can be done, as opposed to thinking about what has been done, because there is always so much to do.

Appreciating time is to look at a future of possibilities. I believe that time gone by is valuable, vis-à-vis the future, where one’s experiences from the past can offer a lot to learn. So time is a state of mind. And when it comes to matters of the heart, time is also the biggest healer.

Are you a fashion-conscious individual??
I understand what style is and I try and implement that understanding to how I carry myself. I am not a ‘brand baby’. I like being aspirational and look up to individuals who set benchmarks in style. With all of that, I create my individual style, just as I walk and live the way I do.

So what is unique about the way you live?
People tell me that I lead a very simple life considering the industry that I’m a part of. I don’t understand what this means because

I don’t know how else I would live. I am cautious of living too comfortably. This is because I don’t really want to get used to comforts to the point where I won’t be able to do without them.

Is that because you’ve come from a more humble background?
That is in fact the biggest reason why I am like that. Whatever I am today, I have achieved the hard way. I try not to forget that by getting blinded from being in the limelight. I think that is very important.

Do you feel that clothes and externalappearances matter in today’s world?
Outward appearances actually do matter, whether one likes it or not. I mean, it’s very important to be physically presentable in today’s world.

I don’t mean that one must wear only branded clothing, but it is necessary to be smart about what you wear. You should be able to carry off anything you wear.

If it doesn’t suit someone, even an Armani shirt can look ugly.

So how much do you think brands actually matter?
I may not be brand conscious, but I do respect brands. I am an advertising person. I have seen, and I know what goes into the creation of a brand. Great vision and development is involved, to make any big brand what it is. So at the end of the day, I do see brands more closely than even, maybe, the people who wear them, but I don’t succumb to brands.

Do you feel that a watch makes a statement of any kind?
I was never used to wearing valuables, but now that I am, I realise the attention it attracts. People admire and are interested in knowing more about a fine watch. So I guess a watch does make quite a statement.

What watches does your collection comprise of?
The one I’m wearing right now is the Panerai Ferrari limited edition. I also have a Roger Dubuis, a Breitling Navitimer, a Dior and a TAG Heuer limited edition. I have about eight to 10 watches totally.

Which of these watches are your favourites?
Right now, my favourite watch is the Panerai. It’s a very comfortable watch. But then again, I like each of my watches for different reasons. I like my Roger Dubuis because of its colour. I love the concave look of Breitling watches coupled with its supplementary functions. In fact, I use my Breitling for conversions like pounds to kilograms — the kind that the watch is actually made for. I even like my TAG Heuer tachometer — it’s a red, attractively-designed racing watch.

If you had to create an ideal watch for yourself, what elements would it have?
I can imagine wearing a watch like Brad Pitt’s in ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (a Tissot T-Touch). It would have the rough, rugged look, yet be very smart and sophisticated. A watch speaks of a certain state of mind that I would want others to see. My ideal watch would be a combination of a Panerai, a Breitling and a TAG Heuer. The watch would reflect the features that I actually use, without anything unnecessary on the dial.

If you were to gift Bipasha Basu a watch, what would it be?
If I had to gift a watch to Bipasha, I would get her a watch that is elegant and without too many diamonds. I’d rather gift a watch that’s more subtle and discreet. It should be understated, yet smart.