Karan Vig, who is in his mid-twenties, left his home in Jaipur a year and a half ago to see if the West is as ‘warm’ as his hometown. Turned out, the kind of love this new place had showered upon him was immense, and today, he can’t stop talking about it.

The boy-with-the-elegance-of-Coco-Chanel is now a stylist and a front-row regular at many international fashion events.

Karan met our team during his vacation in the Pink city and discussed the societal ‘malfunctions’ when it comes to accepting one’s sexuality.

“It was my ‘secret’ journal that revealed everything about me to my family. I used to hide it under the statue of my favorite deity, Lord Krishna in my room when I was in school. My mom and my two brothers happened to read it only to get the biggest shock of their lives. I was interrogated for hours during which I kept denying the reality. I cooked up a fake story of girlfriends but (un)fortunately, it didn’t work out.”

However, he doesn’t describe coming out to his family as the real struggle. “It was coming out to myself that was the most difficult. Because we don’t talk openly about sexuality at home and in school in India, most kids stay confused till they cross the puberty age. Same was the case with me. I could never fit myself into the definitions given by the books until the age of 12, I suppose. I questioned my sanity because I started getting attracted to other boys. It was really crazy up in my mind, phew!”

He continued, “I even tried to convince myself that I could be bisexual. Because, again, that’s what most Indians do while coming out of the closet.”

Describing how happy he is now and that his family has made peace with the reality, Karan shared with us the temperament with which he has started living a new life in London. “People are more accepting in London as compared to our country. My colleagues don’t judge me, and I’ve been able to find precious friends. I love visiting gay clubs with them there.”

Karan loves donning sarees with a twist. The other day, this bombshell wore one and made headlines in city’s newspapers. “Sarees and dhotis worn in saree-style, that’s the dream! I don’t care if they have an issue with my wardrobe choices, I make sure I walk like a confident queen wherever I am.” And, always adding up the spark are Karan’s favorite animal jewels.

Talking about his work, he said, “I work very hard and in just a year, could earn the respect of the biggest fashionistas around. Apart from doing the runways, I always find it uplifting to dress up Goddess Radha-rani and Lord Krishna in the temples. This one time, I decided to make Radha-rani wear puff sleeves, a bow at the back followed by a long trail. Sigh, she looked so beautiful.”

Before taking his leave, Karan told us what would be the possible name of his book if ever he decides to write one. “Chingaari. Because, why not?”

Watching Karan go, all of us questioned ourselves, “Are we as free as this man? Do we really know how to live without succumbing to limitations?”  Whimsically, the questions were followed by a haunting voice from inside us saying, “Maybe, it’s time all of us come out of our closets and recognize our true selves.”

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