Ready for Red

“It’s only in the last three years that red carpet fashion has gained prominence in India,” says designer Narendra Kumar,“and it’s mostly because celebrities are more aware of fashion now.” Designer Pria Kataria Puri adds,“What the stars wear at events like the Oscars and the Golden Globes dictate trends in a big way. It’s become the same in India. Once upon a time,it was what they wore on screen that would find its way into our wardrobes. Now,what they wear on the red carpet is what we try to emulate.”

The attention being paid to red carpet styling is noticeable. Kataria Puri points out,“Some years ago,actors would think that it was OK to wear what they wore on screen to an awards function. They didn’t understand that what looks good on camera can look very flashy on the red carpet.” The younger generation,she says,pays attention to such details. “People like Kangna Ranaut and Sonam Kapoor truly love fashion. They know how to put a look together.”

The red carpet is also the prime example of the symbiotic relationship between fashion and movies. If designers can make an actor look good,conversely,designers gets a great deal of publicity simply because their creations are worn by famous people. Haute fashion houses like Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton regularly lend out their creations for red carpet occasions,while designers like Manish Malhotra and Archana Kochhar are much in demand in India. Kumar agrees,“If you’re in the fashion business,it’s important for your creations to be seen on the red carpet. It affords designers a great deal of visibility.” Swapnil Shinde who has dressed actresses Priyanka Chopra and Mugdha Godse,says,“There’s no doubt that the designer benefits the most. I’m a well-known name because celebs wear my creations.”

Given how frequently they are scrutinised,it comes as no surprise that they can get quite paranoid. Priyanka Chopra,for instance,rarely steps out of her short,fitted dresses. “They want to wear safe outfits,so while they look lovely at the end of it all,they don’t have any fun with fashion,which is really a shame since these are beautiful people who can pull off almost anything,” says Puri.