Black is Black

Would the power of a little dress or the elegance of a bandhgala or,for that matter,even the chic appeal of a pair of stilettos diminish if they werent in the colour black?

City-based designer Sahiba J Singh has launched a signature line dedicated to black colour

Would the power of a little dress or the elegance of a bandhgala or,for that matter,even the chic appeal of a pair of stilettos diminish if they werent in the colour black? Thoughts like these have flooded Sahiba J Singhs mind many times over the last few months. The Chandigarh-based designer and stylist,who specialises in Sikh trousseau-wear for women and men (she also designs Sikh wedding accessories such as kirpans,turbans,juttis,sehras and kalgis),has loved working with black in all her collections. I am personally fond of the colour and it has consistently showed up in my designs every season. Depending on how its styled,black can make a bold or a subtle statement, says the designer,who,given her penchant for the colour,has launched a new signature line called SJS Black.

Dedicated to the hue,the new line presents formal wear Indian as well as western for both genders. All-black achkans with salwars,crisp pin-tuck black shirts in silk,flowing anarkalis with ornate gold embroidery,bandhgalas with a hint of colour in the pocket square Sahibas been true to her signature style with sharp cuts,fitted silhouettes and traditional embroidery but has used black almost like a canvas.

I do a lot of custom orders and have to play around with colours. However,with SJS Black,I am getting to do my own thing, quips Singh,who after having dressed up the likes of Vikram Chatwal for his traditional wedding; designed silk turbans for singer Malkit Singh; and politician-anchor Navjot Sidhu,has plumped up her menswear line.

In fact,the SJS Black line sees a lot of styles for men that make the most of a royal Sikh look,which she is proud of. There are achkans teamed with salwars for men to be paired with custom-made juttis,and short jackets to be worn with riding breeches. Velvet and silk,in black,seem to be the fabrics of choice this season. The outfits under SJS Black are priced Rs 20,000 onwards.

To avoid monotony,Singh says she will pick one colour annually and coordinate with black. For Autumn-Winter 2011,she has picked up a shade of wine,which shows up in coat linings,as pocket squares,on hemmings and also as shirts.

But given the warm summer months when pastels rule,wont SJS Black feel a little out of place? Singh replies,

Actually,I am already working on SJS White.

Parallel lines of fashion seems to be her forte.

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formal wear

Black is Black

Would the power of a little dress or the elegance of a bandhgala or,for that matter,even the chic appeal of a pair of stilettos diminish if they werent in the colour black?

Would the power of a little dress or the elegance of a bandhgala or,for that matter,even the chic appeal of a pair of stilettos diminish if they werent in the colour black?