Baroque Blues

Style in the West continues to have a strong cultural context,something completely lacking in fashionable circles here. Dress codes are strictly adhered to and in the post recession world,there’s a strong movement back towards clean lines,minimalism and austerity. Fashion is supposed to mirror reality,but in India it functions in isolation,oblivious to our surroundings. I’m reminded of a typical,over-the-top Delhi wedding I attended recently: 500 glitzy guests,sangeet performances by relatives/friends,bling,a jazz band,orchids,and more bling,reflecting off tiny mirrors scattered around the venue for impact. In the ocean of glittering people swathed in gorgeous silks and embellished head to toe,I had a hard time finding the soon-to-be weds. Judging by the wardrobes on display,it appeared every guest was determined to upstage the bride. (In Europe,the biggest faux paus you can make is to wear white to a wedding. The colour is reserved exclusively for the bride.)

What is too much? Originality needn’t be OTT. Looking around,I’m not that taken aback by a new term I heard from a friend recently. “Professional party make-up is my new spin off,” she told me. This friend is a make-up artist and charges Rs 25,000 for dressing brides on their wedding day. Now she tells me,there are normal people who think it necessary to go to make-up artists for a big night out on town. Not necessarily people who will be photographed for daily glossies,but just regular folk who are willing to cough up Rs 8,000 for a random,non red carpet occasion. Let the good times roll.

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