What distinguishes Countrymade from other fashion labels is its deep emotional core. With their latest collection, Residual, Countrymade dives into the complex themes of loss, memory, and the aftermath of war. Drawing inspiration from the devastating crash of a fighter jet, the collection becomes a tribute to the emotional residue left behind by such tragic events. Using a palette of scorched metals and textures that speak of fragility and resilience, founder Sushant Abrol invites us to see fashion as more than just an aesthetic—it's a language, a story, and a tribute to the human spirit.
In this interview, we explore the concept behind Residual, how Countrymade stands apart in the luxury menswear market, and Sushant's vision for the future of Indian fashion on the global stage.
Sushant Abrol
Your latest collection, Residual, draws inspiration from the devastation of war and its emotional impact. Can you tell us more about the concept behind this collection and how you translate such a heavy theme into fashion?
Residual comes from a very real place of loss. The starting point was a molten fragment of an aircraft’s fuselage, twisted and scarred, that I picked up from the crash site where my brother, a fighter pilot, lost his life. It took me nearly five years to gather the courage to look back at that moment and allow myself to create from it.
Holding that piece was like holding time, charred, silent, and irreversibly changed. It became the emotional and material seed for this collection. The idea was to explore what remains after conflict; not just the physical wreckage, but the emotional residue that lingers long after the noise has faded. The palette draws from scorched metal and earth-deep greys, blacks and blackened browns—while the textures are fractured, frayed, and pieced together. Our prints reflect the eeriness of molten metal, and we use exposed seams, kantha embroidery, and hand-finished details to evoke the fragile but enduring human spirit.
But Residual isn’t just about grief. It’s about memory. About carrying forward what we’ve lost and finding meaning in the aftermath. Fashion, to me, is a language, and this collection is a tribute, a conversation, and a way of carrying memory forward.
What sets Countrymade apart in the market of luxury menswear?
What sets Countrymade apart is our emotional foundation. While the focus is on refinement and exclusivity, we begin with story and substance. Every collection is deeply personal, often drawn from memory, loss, or longing. There’s always a narrative under the surface that shapes not just the aesthetic, but the intention behind each piece.
We don't chase trends. We chase meaning. Whether it's through repurposed military fabrics or painstakingly hand-finished techniques, we aim to create garments that feel lived in, honest, and soulful. There’s a rawness in our designs, but also a quiet grace, something that speaks of resilience.
For us, luxury isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about pieces that stay with you, not just in form, but in feeling.
Tell us about your process of envisioning the concepts behind your clothes. How does it all come together?
It always starts with a feeling, something unresolved, something personal. I usually write before I design. A poem, a fragment of thought, even just a word can become the emotional anchor for an entire collection. That core emotion guides everything; the silhouettes, the textures, the way the garments move.
It always starts with a feeling, something unresolved, something personal. I usually write before I design. A poem, a fragment of thought, even just a word can become the emotional anchor for an entire collection. That core emotion guides everything; the silhouettes, the textures, the way the garments move.
From there, I start collecting—images, objects, music, memories. For Residual, for instance, it was the charred aircraft fragments, war memorabilia, even the sound of a sea shanty reimagined for the sky. These references help build the emotional and visual vocabulary of the collection.
Once the direction is set, we move into textiles, techniques, and forms—constantly asking ourselves: does this belong to the story? Is it honest? Is it necessary? Every detail must earn its place. We try to create not just clothes, but a world—a space for memory, reflection, and meaning.
Why did you choose to incorporate the traditional technique of Kantha, and how does it connect to the story you’re telling through the collection
Kantha is not just craft, it’s a philosophy. Traditionally, it was a way to mend and repurpose old fabrics, to stitch memory into material. That idea of healing through handwork deeply aligns with the emotional narratives of our collections.
Each Kantha stitch in the collection is like a quiet act of remembrance—piecing together what’s been broken, carrying forward what cannot be forgotten. The technique allows us to express fragility and resilience simultaneously. It’s not about symmetry or polish. It’s about care. About presence. Using a traditional Indian craft also roots the collection in where we come from. It’s our way of grounding modern menswear in something deeply human, timeless, and true.
Kantha is not just craft, it’s a philosophy. Traditionally, it was a way to mend and repurpose old fabrics, to stitch memory into material. That idea of healing through handwork deeply aligns with the emotional narratives of our collections.
Each Kantha stitch in the collection is like a quiet act of remembrance—piecing together what’s been broken, carrying forward what cannot be forgotten. The technique allows us to express fragility and resilience simultaneously. It’s not about symmetry or polish. It’s about care. About presence. Using a traditional Indian craft also roots the collection in where we come from. It’s our way of grounding modern menswear in something deeply human, timeless, and true.
How do you envision the future of fashion in India and its growing role on the global stage?
I think the future of Indian fashion lies in authenticity. We’re finally seeing a shift, designers are no longer creating for external validation. They’re drawing from within, telling stories that are intimate, cultural, and real. That shift in voice is what makes India’s fashion future so powerful.
I think the future of Indian fashion lies in authenticity. We’re finally seeing a shift, designers are no longer creating for external validation. They’re drawing from within, telling stories that are intimate, cultural, and real. That shift in voice is what makes India’s fashion future so powerful.
We’ve always had the hands, the heritage, the craft. But now we’re beginning to articulate who we are through design, not just through technique. And that’s what the global stage is responding to—honesty, depth, and point of view. I don’t think our strength lies in competing with the West. It lies in showcasing fashion that speaks not just of style, but of soul.
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 26.03.2025