Lakme Fashion Week Day 5 - VJ Balhara

The 5th day of the Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2011, and I finally made it to the venue. I still can’t get over it. My favorite five days of the fashion season, and I missed them! Well, almost. I did make it to the 1.30 show where VJ sent his collection down the runway. I have already given you a preview of the collection, so won’t go into that again. All I can say is that from the very first strain of the music, it was a collection that had the audience swinging and applauding. VJ’s penchant for controlled drama was at play, as “Rustic Sophistication”, a collection in 100% cotton and chanderi unfolded in an inspired palette of lavender, fuchsia, turquoise, white, ivory and olive among other colors. Empire line smocks, cool summer pants, tunics with gathered hems, full pleated tents, drop crotch linen churidars, flared mul blouses, gypsy dresses, paisley embroidered skirts were all unusually styled with colorful birds in models’ hair, and exquisite, understated accessories that complimented the outfits, the collection bore the VJ Balhara stamp of edgy originality through and through. That the show was styled by VJ’s extremely talented wife Cynthia added a special touch to the event.

But what truly took everyone’s breath away was the showstopper, VJ’s muse Carol Gracias in a melon and taupe tiered circular Angarakha had the audience let out a collective gasp. And then, my favorite moment of every VJ show when the ex-model turned designer walked the ramp for a final bow, as the applause kept getting louder. When I first saw VJ’s designs, I saw in them a promise that finds substance with every new collection. Unfortunately, the show has left me with a dilemma. I am weighed down with the urgent need to lose ample weight to fit into one of VJ’s breathtaking designs. That, I hope will happen before his next collection.









All Photos Courtesy: Nitesh Square Photography