Shubham Vaidkar isn’t trying too hard—and that’s exactly the point.
The 24-year-old Mumbai-based model, who made the jump from civil engineering to fashion in 2024 and has now walked the top runways in the world for major international brands, approaches style with the same kind of clarity you’d expect from someone used to structure and precision. But instead of blueprints, it’s now about silhouettes, fit, and knowing when to stop.
Shubham comes from a humble household where academics were always prioritised. While studying to be a civil engineer, he discovered fashion and dove deep—studying models and understanding how the industry works until it became something more intentional. He didn’t tell his family about his modelling ambitions until his first project was released; while they were happy, they still expected him to complete his degree—which he did. He even took up a ₹30,000-a-month job for six months, all while keeping his side hustle alive until it was viable enough to become his main gig.
His modelling career has moved fast. From walking for Shivam Naresh in 2023 to making his international debut at Milan Fashion Week for Giorgio Armani in January 2024—and returning for multiple seasons, including the brand’s 50th anniversary show—Vaidkar has quietly built a solid presence on the global runway. And today, he’s paid €5000-6000 for a day’s work.
And you can see the impact. Walking for Giorgio Armani, especially across seasons, does something to your eye. The clean lines, the sharp tailoring, the restraint—it sticks. There’s a clear shift in how Vaidkar thinks about clothes now: less noise, fewer logos, more focus on how things actually fit and feel. There’s no sense of excess—just pieces that work, over and over again.
In conversation with Shubham Vaidkar:
Q. What is the one piece in your wardrobe that gets worn far more than it should?
Shubham Vaidkar: A perfectly cut black T-shirt. It’s the one piece I always come back to. It’s effortless, it photographs well, and it works with everything—denim, tailoring, even under a coat. It’s simple, but it never feels boring.
Q. A menswear essential you think most men still get wrong?
Shubham Vaidkar: Fit and proportion. Mostly people focus on brands, logos but the real luxury is in the shape. A shirt that sits right on the shoulders, trousers with the perfect fit, those details completely change the way you look.
Q. A trend you are completely uninterested in right now?
Shubham Vaidkar: Anything that feels like fashion for attention. Over-styled looks that don’t feel personal. I’m more interested in clothes that have confidence without being loud.
Q. A colour you have fallen back in love with recently?
Shubham Vaidkar: Navy blue and red. Navy blue is powerful and sharp, it has a quiet richness. And red adds good energy, even in small touches.
Q. What are your non-negotiable travel essentials, style-wise?
Shubham Vaidkar: A pair of sunglasses, a structured jacket, and white sneakers. Also, I pack basics—black, navy, and neutral pieces—so I can mix and match easily without overthinking outfits.
Q. What do you usually wear when you are completely off-duty?
Shubham Vaidkar: Off-duty, I keep it very relaxed: an oversized T-shirt, loose trousers or track pants, and sneakers or flip-flops. Comfort matters, but I still like to look clean.
Q. A menswear trend you see dominating this year?
Shubham Vaidkar: This year, I think it’s all about clean, simple style that feels comfortable. Relaxed but smart tailoring, and layered textures are everywhere. People are focusing more on quality and fit rather than logos, and wearing outfits that look effortless but still sharp. But, it also depends on person-to-person.
Q. Which brands or designers do you actually wear on the regular?
Shubham Vaidkar: I mix a lot. For everyday life, I’m very into clean essentials and good basics from brands like Zara and H&M. I focus on pieces that fit well and feel versatile. The key for me is comfort, quality, and keeping the look effortless—the brand doesn’t have to be flashy to wear.
If there’s a through-line to Vaidkar’s wardrobe, it’s restraint. Not in a limiting sense, but in a considered one. Each piece has a purpose, each combination feels lived-in, and nothing leans too heavily on trend. In a moment where menswear often oscillates between extremes, his approach lands somewhere more enduring—quietly confident, sharply defined, and built to last well beyond a single season.
