Sheila,Socialites and Juicy Jumpers

Wonder Women

The catwalk was spectacular at designer Namrata Joshipura’s show,that started with severe black textured pieces trussed at the waistline and a few in sculptured grey tailoring. Ten minutes into the show,the Joshipura woman was defined with models coming down the runway in tops in juicy orange and multi-coloured knit jumpers paired with red kitten heels. There were minis wrapped with tiers of shimmering fringe and swimsuits in burnt orange,which fitted the body like an armour.

Sheila Rampage

Though news about his debut was overshadowed by that of textile designer Neeru Kumar,senior designer James Ferreira ensured that he got his share of thunder. Just before his show concluded,Mumbai- based Ferreira did something rather unlike him. He was on the runway in tight denim shorts,and a black overcoat,shimmying to Sheila ki jawani. “This was no PR exercise,” said Ferreira,at his post-show party at the Chivas lounge at the venue. “I had this idea before my show and the models spurred me on,” he grinned,adding that he had swapped his dhoti for denim shorts. Did he practice to the moves? “Not much,but the models showed me a step or two,” he said. Is he turning into a showman? “Absolutely not,I still want the clothes to do the talking,” he smiled. His collection,narrated a fable from Aesop’s — the Rabbit and the Tortoise. It featured unabashedly romantic shirt dresses,trench coats in fine wool,tulle skirts and double-breasted topcoats.

Ho hum sans Showstopper

It was touted as a glitzy and glamourous party. The much-hyped Manish Malhotra show,sponsored by Spice,was neither — it had no celebrities,save yesteryear actor Neetu Singh,sitting in the front row in a beige kurta,nor a spectacular line-up of clothes. Malhotra,Bollywood’s resident designer,did not get a showstopper. “My clothes are showstoppers,” he asserted,despite having brought Bollywood on the runway in the past. This time,he latched onto the theme of Kashmiri chikankari. The much-awaited show opened with 18 male models sashaying down the ramp in bandhgalas and sherwanis in structured silhouettes paired with dhoti pants and baggy salwars. Next,voluminous anarkalis in rust,and beige and off-whites breezed onto the runway,with Kashmiri embroidery panelled on the blouses. The filmy ensembles could pass off as wedding wear rather than evening wear.