Forward Block

Men in suits lined the front row as sarkari slogans blasted through the speakers at the Ministry of Textiles-organised fashion show at Pragati Maidan.

Written by Alia Allana
December 22, 2010 11:06 PM IST

2 min read

Men in suits lined the front row as sarkari slogans blasted through the speakers at the Ministry of Textiles-organised fashion show at Pragati Maidan. Rita Menon,Secretary,Ministry of Textiles had ensured that the venue was transformed in to a chic set,with white as the dominant theme. The show was to showcase the skills of the 60 lakh-strong handicraft sector. We have a great understanding of weaving and of fabrics,but we need to have a more contemporary look, said Nitin Sharma,an IAS officer. The showstopper,often the most elaborate marker closing the evening,was in this case,the Union Minister of Textiles,Dayanidhi Maran himself,who was present through the evening. The show opened with a display of chikankari shift dresses,and then West Bengal Kangha embroidery found a somewhat contemporary look in a see-through vest on a buffed man. The audience gasped in mock-horror when a model in a butterfly gown de-robed to reveal pea-green hot pants and a bandeau top. The camera zoomed in on her; the image was transferred to the projectors,and lingered on in slow motion. Men in suits,quick on their feet,applauded and snapped away.

Needless to say,in its bid for contemporaneity,the show did not include any ethnic wear.