Four Forty PM Ladies Special

Arriving first on the ramp was the collection by Gauri and Nainika. Best known for their evening dresses and bespoke gowns,for Spring Summer 2012,the duo have gone back in time. Influenced by the wartime era (World War II),their garments were reminiscent of the period in history when women had to ‘make do and mend’. The show began with a sepia-toned slideshow of images that spoke of how fabric was severely rationed in the ‘40s,and hence the fripperies of pre-war fashion dressing were abandoned,resulting in a sharper and tailored style of garments. It’s this facet that reflects strongly in the collection. The silhouettes are demure with narrow hips and strong shoulders. Instead of voluminous gowns and dresses that are Gauri and Nainika signature style,the duo brought tapered down dresses,military style playsuits,rompers and jumpers in vibrant vintage tones such as red,purple,olive,plum and jade green using fluid crêpe de Chine.

The ladies special kept chugging with designer Nandita Basu,who toned down the lively colour palette,offering instead earthy colours — beige,brown and muddy orange — played up in skirts and dresses,with a hint of embroidery. Putting summer back on the ramp was Malini Ramani with a splashy,sexy and colourful collection that made the most of pop colours,mirror work and lehriya. Though she played it safe with silhouettes,giving us what we have seen before — maxi dresses,kaftans,gypsy-styled outfits. You know Ramani’s a party girl when even the music played on the ramp has a customised DJ mix with the lyrics Maximum Malini belting out. At WIFW,the party has just begun.