Kochi: Nowadays, there's a trend of labelling the people who don’t follow current tendencies as having ‘thantha vibe’ or ‘thalla vibe’. However, Unmesh Dasthakir, an entrepreneur, is demonstrating that true fashion involves adapting to the times and evolving with changing styles. With over two and a half decades of experience in the fashion industry, he has gained a perspective that encourages thinking beyond conventional ideas.

Mundu, a traditional garment that Malayalis proudly claim as their own, is now the canvas for the innovative experiments of Unmesh, a native of Kanhangad in Kasaragod. After graduating from NIFT and spending nearly two decades working for professional fashion firms, Unmesh launched his own venture, 'myKYND.'

Unmesh asserts that if sarees can feature a variety of prints, then mundus can showcase them as well. He has introduced traditional prints inspired by the diverse cultures of India's many states into the mundu style. Some of the prints that are being displayed on mundu are Jamdani, Kasuti, block prints, etc.

According to Unmesh, the mundu is not exclusively owned by Malayalis. In Tamil Nadu, there are enthusiasts of the mundu wherever people travel. From Sri Lanka, it spread further to Vietnam and Malaysia. The brand 'myKYND' has garnered a strong following in just one and a half years. This name was chosen to promote handloom textiles, which are specially sourced from Kannur and Balaramapuram. The fabrics are printed after being sent to different states for processing.