Arjun Khanna Designer Arjun Khannas opening show at the Van Heusen India Mens Week 2011 at The Grand Hotel in Delhi,was dramatic. A mix of sophistication and grunge,masculinity and fun Khannas collection called Action Men referenced from the dark fantasy of those wanting to be Sherlock Holmes. Male models sashayed down the ramp,sporting mysterious smiles in linen kurtas,pleated jodhpurs and fitting tartan pants. Boney Ms Daddy Cool juxtaposed with the sound of airplanes set the background score some of Khannas boys even did a little jig on the ramp. The designer used linens,wool,velvet and leather in this collection,paying attention to detailing the characters he had etched in his mind. The collection also flaunted some unusual combinations kurtas with polka-dotted ties,white jodhpurs with a black velvet jacket and a hat. Brown,black,white and red were the primary colours of the collection. Khannas obsession with props was also evident as models walked with cameras from the 1940s,black umbrellas,fake pistols and square vintage briefcases. From imbibing the mysterious aura of Holmes to working a mundane job at an MNC,Khanna seemed to have factored in a gamut of thoughts. They were for men,who want to be boys first. What we liked the most were knee-length boots and pink scarves in masculine ensembles. When Khanna walked in for his final bow,the models faded away; he gave them a run for their money with his imposing walk and a near-perfect swirl.
