"Some of my Tibetan friends had returned from a trip to Goa and when I saw their colored hair I want to imitate them. The very next day, I went to a parlor and changed my hair to brown. I had a hard time trying to explain my parents why I did it," said Bista with a laugh.
"Since then looking different has been a passion with me," added Bista. [break]
When it comes sprucing up one´s looks, it is now hard to tell who is more conscious: men or women. While fashion and make up used to be exclusively women preserve, metrosexual men of today are just as concerned about grooming themselves as women.
Going to parlors for a hairdo, applying hair treatments and facials, wearing trendy cloths, accessories and being brand conscious has become a habit of all modern men, particularly, among those living in metropolises.
Suraj Moktan, who works at Civil Mal, says being metrosexual is all about loving yourself. (Riwaj Rai/Republica)
Tight fitting, colorful clothes and bleached hair, a style made popular my Korean movies, has become the new trend among the youths of Kathmandu, shared Subexya Badel, an emerging fashion designer.
"Nowadays we don´t see even the rock stars and hip-hoppers dressed ruggedly on television. Clean, suave look is in vogue and people imitate the style all the time, everywhere," said Badel.
Preferring varying colors while buying clothes has emerged among the youths, shared Sayer Tamang, sales manager at Wardrobe clothing store at Civil Mall. Sayer, who is in this clothing business for a decade now, said, "Earlier, dark shades, mostly grey and blue, were loved by men and they didn´t have other options either. But today, a whole range of clothing for men in different colors are available in the market and they do wear them without any hesitation," said Sayer.
Bista candidly confessed about his regular visits to parlors for hair treatment, facials and even threading.
"Yes I go to parlors and take suggestions from the experts about my skin and hairstyle, which I feel is not a thing to be ashamed of. If being conscious about ones looks makes you feel comfortable and enhances your personality, there is no reason restrain yourself," said Bista.
Loving oneself should come from the heart and this feeling evolved in me around three years ago, shared Suraj Moktan, who works at the Central Food Court at Civil Mall.
"I always wanted to look appealing and different than others and embracing this fashion trend has certainly satisfied me from the bottom of my heart," said Moktan.
Kesab Rai, a senior hairdresser at Sharp Cut, shared that most of his regular customers are young boys and their keenness for a different look admirable.
"Many come for Korean styles, hair treatment and coloring. After noting their choice, I suggest them if it fits their facial structure and height and I proceed with the cutting," said Rai.
Emo hair style was popular among guys few years back but now many want to have the popular Korean genji that leaves a thin layer of hairs on the sides and the mock hair that narrows up to the middle, shared Rai.
"Personally, I think they are mostly influence by the fashion statement of the international football players. David Beckham and his hair cut is everyone´s favorite," said Rai.
Lewis Thapa, who is preparing for MBBS entrance examination, was having a hair treatment with Rai, while his girlfriend was waiting on the side.
"I have a pretty long hair and without regular treatment I feel uncomfortable," said Thapa.
Reshma Chongbang, a student and a fashion enthusiast, shared that she prefers men who take care of themselves when it comes to staying neat and clean. "Today I see men becoming more conscious about brands, the cloth they wear and how they smell and I find this change in them very positive," said Chongbang.
"People mistake metrosexual for being gay."
Subexya Badel is an emerging fashion designer and director at Crossroad Apparel.
How do you define metrosexual in fashion industry?
Metrosexual for me is a straight man who is in touch with his feminine side. He takes good care of himself, his lifestyle and the way he spends his quality time.
People mistake metrosexual for being gay which is totally wrong. Personally, I believe metrosexual men are more capable of winning a woman´s heart.
These men dress fashionably, look dandy all the time and it really makes me happy to see them.
How do you see this trend?
Many men come to my studio and most of the time they bring their own designs. Sometimes, they bring a little too over-the-top designs just because they want to experiment. Personally, I find this attitude very amusing and even inspiring for me as a designer. I see and meet a lot of men, well-groomed, who smell delicious, well-shaved, have nicely done hair with manicured fingernails. That´s such a breather.
How are Nepali youths adapting to this trend?
Good things take time to change. There are men who are dressed super well and then there are men who are trying too hard, and that´s where they go wrong. They act too pricey. They are too conscious about the way they are and that is a major turn off. I would suggest men to dress to impress, but they should not try so hard that they end up making fool out of themselves.
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