Mumbai, Dec 2 (IANS) Designer Troy Costa, whose menswear focuses on modern masculinity and flattering functionality, says he chose actress Tina Desai to open his show for men here as he sees women “very differently”.

Donning a chic tuxedo, “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” actress opened Costa’s show at Van Heusen GQ Fashion Nights 2015 on Tuesday .

“I see a woman very differently. My mother looked after us. We had no money. But she was a strong woman. So, I wanted to do a men’s show and begin it with a woman in a tuxedo. I wanted it to have a strong look. So, I gave her what a man would wear.

“And because we were doing a show on Paris and gentlemen, I wanted to show that Paris is about love. That’s why there was a skit in the beginning,” the designer told IANS after the show, which also saw “Highway” actor Randeep Hooda as the showstopper.

Randeep, who looked dapper in a tuxedo, said: “It’s a great take on the classic tuxedo.”

Asked about selecting him to wear the final piece from the collection, the designer said: “He is a gentleman, who rides horses. He has a strong sense of manliness and is so masculine, plays polo and he is a true man.”

For Tina, it was “out of the ordinary especially to open a men’s fashion show”.

“I never thought of wearing something like this. But I think it add s zing. I will cherish this experience,” she said.

Costa was also delighted to have her on the show.

“She has strength of character and a great personality. You don’t always have a golden spoon. Sometimes, you need to believe in yourself. She has done the same thing. She did a few hindi movies, but was not successful. Now, she is in Hollyood and that’s amazing” he said.

The Bonsoir Monsieur collection, which is made of fabrics such as light wool, leather, velvet, denim, lace and cotton, is heavily inspired from Paris. So, be it the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe monument, there is a touch of Paris in the form of prints in his collection. Since it is for the gentleman who has interest in style, quality and masculinity, the pieces in colours like purple, black and midnight blue, have structured silhouette and pronounced shoulders.

His romance with Paris doesn’t end with the collection. He will soon showcase his work at Men’s Fashion Week in Paris in June 2016.

“I haven’t thought about the collection as yet, but I am very excited. I am going to be first Indian designer to showcase there. I don’t want to talk about my work so much. I want my work to speak,” he said.