The BUSINESS of fashion

Abhishek Dutta's collection titled 'Save the girl child' showcased on day three at the Lakme india fashion week 2008 was a mockery.
The lovable toddler that walked the ramp could hardly keep pace with the model and tripped once and as if that was not enough, while turning, the model probably forgot she had a little baby to also walk with and so the poor child actually fell right off the ramp at the feet of the first row viewers.
Unbelievable but true that the' business' of fashion is merely to attract crowds and generate hype and moolah.
Never mind the innocent who get trampled along the way.
Boo to Dutta who in any case is a mockery of a designer.

LAKME INDIA FASHION WEEK 2008 MUMBAI

'An eye for an I' was the theme but in this concept of duality, kiran used a combination of two fabrics together in the same outfit.
An interesting mix of textures were used for the range from Chanderi, silk cotton, tussar, jacquard,tweed georgette satin to linen and brocade. Detailing was subtle with pleats, African embroidery, hand painting, printing, crushing for texturing and quilting.
In a variation of color combinations, with much layering and embellished with prints, shibori, seaweed and parsi floral embroidery, Kolkatta manages to reign- always... with its sensitive play of colors, delicate craftmanship and handwork, intricate detailing and the sensible usage of fabrics.
Kiran comees across as different this time around.

LAKME INDIA FASHION WEEK 2008 MUMBAI

Invoking the River Goddess was Sonam Dubbals' theme derived from the three life giving rivers - the Mekong, Brahmaputra and Nile. It was a calming and serene feeling with the sounds of the flowing waterthe floral prints and graphic stripes with the usual quiet dignity in the craftmanship with its tufted centers.

The colour palette with the soothing shades of blue, turquoise, lilac, burgundy, purple, brown, green had a touch of gold to add to the elegance.
The oriental look of the kimonos, kaftans, angarkhas African tunics, Bakhu dresses, honjus and printed mandarin collar jackets had the very delicate intrusion of color in oranges and yellows.
The spiritual feel as always, is Sonams' trademark and one that comes across in every aspect of his presentation.

WILLS INDIA FASHION WEEK 2008

Phadnis surprises us with his unfilmi, understated, quiet creations in hues of dull oranges, blues and staid greens and vibrant browns. A far cry from his usual outlandish and filmi styles. Shiamaks' dancers lends class to the show and phadnis displays a rare sensitivity in showcasing his collection.
Good to know that for once a bollywood designer can disconnect between the ramp and the film set.
Way to go vikram!

JODHA AKBAR

Ashutosh Gowarikar has maintained the consistency of directing films laoded with great casting,soulful music and great performances by the cast, especially hrithik, who stuns you with his flawless diction and persona as does the ever graceful and dignified aishwarya rai...
however, apart from the length and pace of the film which tends to drag at times, its neeta lulla who has marred the otherwise simply yet stylishly created film...

her outfits for jodha are pathetic... they are as ordinarily done as a balaji set-up would have.. the colors were resticted to orange, and yellow mainly ... as a rajput princess, they would have done well to show her in typical rajasthani work, in a myriad of colors,bright fuschias and mauves, reds and blues and creams....sadly, her make-up too made her look pale and washed out.... the costumes in general were a let-down.... if compared to a PAHELI, in which each junior artiste was also very correctly dressed, right down to the right embellishment... which is what makes the film watchable- vivid colors, brightness,transporting one to the era rightaway.

Even the sets, were totally lack lustre.... the mughal architecture and feel were missing... there was no art of that era, no pots or urns or wall murals that are so typically mughal.... poor lighting mars half the visuals and whoever heard of a meeting betwwen kings of several states seated on a simple yellow rug ... the least they could have done was to decorate the tent with lamps and engraved poles and mirrors...however nowhere was there any evidence... it isnt just the language.. which is where sanjay leela bhansali scores depite a weak script. His films create a visual that is easily one that makes you believe in the story...
sometimes its just a certain scenery, a shot with even a bejwelled hand feeding a pigeon that can say a lot about the story....
in case of a historical, no amount of research can make up for the staid sets and costumes....
neeta lulla needs to give up designing , especially for the gorgeous Ash ..she makes her look shabby and unnecessarily made up...
akbars' mother, essayed by mrs.poonam sinha was dismal to say the least. The lady was expressionless.

All in all, a visual disappointment...
mr.gowarikar could have focussed more on the intricacies of the relationship between jodha and akbar... a few more scenes involving their own private moments....

abstracts