Scene,Not Seen

It’s only in very traditional and rural areas of India that modern,educated women continue to use a chunni to cover their hair,unless it’s for prayer. And for the life of me,I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone flaunt a nose ring the size of Kapoor’s,or Balan’s for that matter. Red-carpet events provide a rare opportunity for both designer and actor to influence fashion in a convincing way. This kitschy costume charade by Indian actors at Cannes,unfortunately,was resorting to easy gimmickry and the dated cliche of exotic India. Balan might as well have arrived on an elephant with a snake charmer for company. Considering the intense media scrutiny and endless fashion commentary on the red carpet,an outfit can make a career,like it did for Jennifer Lopez,when she wore a risque Valentino gown to the Grammy’s. Or if you’re really looking to make an anti fashion statement and aren’t squeamish,Lady Gaga’s raw beef dress has got to be one of fashion’s all-time shocking moments. You don’t have to do it,screeching,look,I’m from India,we have the best detailing in the whole world!

The only job of a stylist or a fashion designer dressing an actor for a red-carpet event is to ensure she looks absolutely fantastic and receives great publicity for her look. At that,Sabyasachi has failed miserably. The designer seems more interested in showing off his own intricate textures,which,though lovely,have done nothing for Balan’s overall appearance.

Kapoor,who is known for her sartorial taste,hasn’t faired much better. There’s a reason why the sari,though it’s been around forever,hasn’t ever even made it as a fad abroad,forget setting a trend. It’s impractical,unadaptable and for many Indian women still,uncomfortable. It will always be India’s signature style,but will remain just that — a signature. It’s unlikely to ever meld into mainstream fashion. So when Balan or Kapoor wear it at Cannes,they fill the slot from India but restrict themselves to it. It’s one of fashion’s enduring puzzles on which looks and styles may become the flavour of an era and which will fade away. The exoticism of sari hasn’t yet fascinated Western fashion enough for them to adopt it,but modern Chinese-styled clothing like that produced by the label Shanghai Tang is hugely popular.

Are fashion stylists for the red carpet really necessary? If you have a finely honed aesthetic,the role of a stylist is overrated. In the ’80s and ’90s,Hollywood actors would choose their own gowns,make-up,jewellery and shoes. Helen Hunt has shown up in an H&M gown alongside Sharon Stone in a Gap turtleneck. The red carpet those days would have a variety of looks — torn jeans,diaphanous gowns and punk rock style. Fashion should be bold,eccentric and individualistic,not homogeneous and try-hard. Balan is seriously in danger of being remembered as the worst dressed actor of her generation,a tragedy considering her prodigious talent.

If I were her,I would ditch the stylists and do my own thing. The results can’t be any worse than they already are,and she may just end up looking less severe and matronly.

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