HELLO! India Exclusive: Inside Badshah’s longstanding love affair with eyewear

For Badshah, eyewear has never been just an accessory; it’s practically his signature, both on stage and off of it. Over the years, his frames have become as iconic as his music: bold, expressive, instantly recognisable. But what began as a personal style instinct now sets him apart in India’s pop culture landscape. So when the chance came to translate that lifelong passion into design, the collaboration felt almost destined for the Indian rap artist. As Maybach Icons of Luxury partners with the multi-platinum Indian hip hop heavyweight for a limited-edition eyewear collection, Dayle Pereira-Alemao, Associate Editor at HELLO! India speaks exclusively to Badshah to discuss the inspiration behind his Maybach collaboration, the personal design details he sprinkled in and how his love for eyewear all began.

HELLO! India: How did eyewear become a signature part of your look?

Badshah: Eyewear became a signature part of my look long before I realised it consciously. For me, frames are like emotional armour; they set the tone before I speak, before I perform, even before I even enter a room. Early in my career, eyewear gave me a sense of feeling innately good, and over the years it evolved into a defining part of my identity. Whether I’m on stage or off-duty, the right pair of frames completes the story I want to tell at that moment. That’s why designing eyewear feels so natural to me...it’s been part of my language from day one.

HELLO! India: What inspired your collaboration with Maybach?

Badshah: This collaboration was inspired by a mix of personal aspiration, cultural pride and creative curiosity. When I visited their atelier in Germany, courtesy Ronak Sheth of Eternity Lifestyle, and I firsthand saw the level of patience, precision and artistry that goes into every millimetre, something clicked. I realised this was a space where my creativity could genuinely live and evolve. I also wanted to bring a strong Indian narrative into global luxury; our landscapes, our colours, our wildlife, our culture. India has shaped me as an artist, and translating that into eyewear felt powerful and overdue. So this collaboration became a bridge between worlds: German engineering and Indian emotion, global luxury and personal identity, craftsmanship and storytelling.

HELLO! India: Which design detail in the collection feels the most like your personal style?

Badshah: The soundwave detailing is the closest reflection of my personal style because it turns something deeply personal; like my music, into a physical design element. I’ve always believed that style should come from within, and having my soundwaves etched into the temples is exactly that. The bold colour palettes, especially the camouflages and vibrant tones, feel very me.

HELLO! India: Which global style influences shaped this collection?

Badshah: From the world of high fashion, I’ve always admired how European luxury houses merge engineering with emotion, and that philosophy is reflected here. The hip hop culture has also been a big influence because it celebrates individuality and confidence without apology. At the same time, nature and landscapes from around the world inspired the palettes: icy tones, jungle camouflages, warm earth hues. What makes this collection unique is how these global influences are filtered through an Indian cultural lens. The Himalayas, the Tigers of India, our vibrant jungle and wildlife palettes; they’re all global-ready, but rooted in home.

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HELLO! India: Who do you imagine wearing this collection?

Badshah: I imagine this collection being worn by people who aren’t afraid to express themselves; people who see style as an extension of their identity. I see artists, entrepreneurs, travellers, fashion enthusiasts and collectors owning these frames. It’s also for anyone who wants their eyewear to make them feel empowered, confident and unapologetically themselves.

HELLO! India: How did you balance street style and luxury in the designs?

Badshah: Balancing urban city style and bespoke luxury was instinctive for me because both are strong parts of my world. Street style brings boldness, authenticity and identity, while luxury demands precision, rarity and timelessness. The key was merging the two without compromising either. The result is a collection that feels contemporary and expressive, yet elevated and collectible. It’s wearable art that sits comfortably in both worlds.

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