Lakme Fashion Week Preview- Atithi Gupta

Her last outing at the Lakme Fashion Week was titled “Recherche”, or French for “to look ahead”. That’s exactly what Atithi’s style does; to propel women’s fashion into the future. The collection she is going to showcase tomorrow at the Lakme Fashion Week is called “Ella”. The collection celebrates the modern dynamic woman, and is replete with unusual silhouettes that promise to revolutionize daywear. Accentuated with symmetric pleats, folds and twists, the collection underlines a woman’s sensuality, while never ever compromising on functionality. With series of monotones resembling the wet and dry sand, mud, stone, grass colors made in exquisite cotton silks, organza, crepes and chiffons with various drapes and gathers, “Ella” promises to truly expose the natural beauty of the materials.

The collection will have tailored petal-folded shorts and trousers, along with pullovers and kimono shouldered dresses with open-pleated bodices.

Last year, I had to miss her show and really regretted it. This time, for sure, I will try and catch up with the future of city wear as it unfolds on the runway.

Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011

The last time I saw VJ, he was minutes away from his Fashion Week show. Hyper-energetic and ever warm, he was full of anticipation and not a trace of nervousness. Confident and with the poise of the super-model that he was before he turned to designing, he stood in the lounge of the Grand Hyatt, looking every bit the emerging star in the world of style that he is. That, to me, defines VJ's fashion brand: confident, contemporary, rooted.

And now, the not so new kid on the block is about to make another collection go down the runway history. Titled “Rustic Sophistication”, his signature style Neo Traditional Resort wear will see its audience at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2011.

It is fast becoming VJ’s forte to give a contemporary twist to a rural story. This time, he brings his fairy dust to traditional block prints enhanced with rural embellishments and unusual silhouettes.

The designs find their root in the traditional clothing women from Zamindaar (Landlords) community of Haryana. These are fused with the European glamour from the late 1950’s & early 1960’s to create a collection that primarily aims to find common grounds between the raw sensuality of the villages and the modern city chic.

With “Rustic Sophistication”, VJ continues to promote 100% cotton as a luxury fashion Fabric, another reason why I love his designs. Other fabrics which feature in the collection are Chanderi, “Satin Cotton” and chiffon. A rich palette of Ivory, Olive, Lavender, Fuschia, Shocking Pink, Yellow and Turquoise promise to make this collection stand out. VJ’s show is scheduled for March 15th at The Garnd Hyatt, Mumbai.

Kala Ghoda 2011

Kala Ghoda wrapped up over a week ago, but I have been busy with work and a lot of other things happening in my life. This past month has been painful, but all your kind messages have made me feel better. March is around the corner, and so are the Fashion Weeks. As a blogger, this is my favourite time of the year. Collections to preview, review and new seasons's fashion to appreciate. Some of my favourite designers will be showcasing their collections at the fashion week, and I am all geared up to see their designs on the runway.

Meanwhile, some of the beautiful, wonderful, colorful moments from the Kala Ghoda (Black Horse) 2011 Festival.

Goodbye Dad...

I lost my dad on 15th January 2011. These past few months have been painful and erratic because of his illness. Will resume blogging soon. Thank you all for your good wishes.

Guzaarish - Poetry in motion...

I would reserve my opinion on Guzaarish as a film. I don’t think I am qualified to pass judgment on a movie made with such love and passion. But if one thing that the movie’s worst critic cannot refute is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film is visual poetry at its dreamiest best. Every frame is surreal and memorable, leaving you in awe of the overall styling and art direction. Sabyasachi Mukherjee created the entire wardrobe ensemble for Guzaarish, giving Hrithik Roshan rose-coloured glasses, and created decadent, floor-sweeping garments for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s character.
A solitary rose in Aishwarya’s long locks and a scarf around her head, create an ethereal old world glamour. Aishwarya Rai's character Sophia D'Souza over-dresses to overcome her bad marriage. Aishwarya’s look consisted of thirty-seven long frocks, four dumpy shoes, maxis, aprons with motifs of cutlery, quirky glasses and jewellery, surreal hairdos and red lips. She even makes her water bottle wear a jacket that she has made herself. Sophia uses her red lips as a weapon and not as an accessory, but as an expression of her grief. She's a woman who has dedicated her entire life to a suffering man. And she wears that red lipstick so that when he faces her, he sees life in all its colour."
Sabyasachi also designed jewellery for Guzaarish, keeping in mind a multicultural element with a nomadic vibe. For the collection, Sabyasachi used precious and semi-precious stones, minakari and filigree and had to work with about 60 skilled workers from West Bengal to complete the line. The attention to detail was extended to other characters as well. Omar Siddique played by Aditya Roy Kapoor was styled like a struggling French musician, with layered clothes, a crumpled tuxedo with flappy trousers and flip-flops. Suhel Seth, who plays Ethan's doctor, is presented in stiff suits and Shernaz Patel, Ethan's lawyer is given cotton saris and three-quarter blouses. The maids are in dumpy dresses. In line with the theatrical mood of the film, the clothes have an inherent spirit of drama, and are an extension of the characters. According to Sabyasachi, “If you remove the characters and hang the clothes, they will tell a story. It’s like Neverland or the reality version of The Magic Faraway Tree!”

I know I would watch Guzaarish again and again... for the performances and for the styling. Try and watch it. It's worth every luscious, sensuous frame.

"Thinking of You" - Lenny Kravitz

Last year, on 16th November, my family bid farewell to my mother. Today, I am missing her, thinking of her. She is gone, but I know she is watching over us.

The Unforgettable Colors Of Rajasthan...

This weekend, I am headed to Rajasthan. The desert state of India is one of the most beautiful places in the country. The DUNES Festival, where I will be going is going to be celebrating 10 years of Electronica, amidst the breathtaking dunes of Tordi, about 75 kms from Jaipur. Rajasthan has this hauntingly beautiful quality that never ever leaves you. Its colors, textures, music, people, and culture possess you with their vibrancy and uniqueness. Just sharing some of this state’s beauty with you all.





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