Goodbye & good luck

After the show,I ran into Neil Nitin Mukesh and Madhur Bhandarkar. I asked Madhur if he was there to research a possible sequel to his last movie,but he told me that he was here to support Narendra Kumar. “He promised me it would be very interesting,” he said and I fervently hoped so too. Nari’s show was inspired by Gossip Girl’s irreverent style— he resurrected the 80s with newsprint on taffeta,silk,velvet georgette and leather. It was street glamour at its best.

Kallol Dutta insisted I attend his show,so I did. His cotton pieces were marked by drop-shoulder balloon and crab sleeves,draped sides on dresses in muted shades of greys and blacks. But we’d seen them all earlier. Sailex,on the other hand,was more rewarding,with his generous use of pleats and frills,all tastefully understated,of course. Soumitra Mondal’s line was a mix of contemporary and traditional with khadi as the mainstay.

Arjun Saluja’s shapes are always exciting and many of his comrades came dressed in his tartan checks clothes for support. Rahul Mishra showed some lovely tailoring on dresses with geometric panels and reversible jackets in silk. “This is one show I cannot miss,” his contemporary Nachiket Barve said and had me agreeing.

“In this place,you lose a few people,but you end up finding new ones,” laughed Suchitra Pillai,wandering about the busy lobby in a Gayatri Khanna floor-length. Gayatri may have a handful of celebrities at her show,but her club-wear line leaves much to be desired. At best,she reminds me of Monisha Jaising (sadly,MJ is still around and rocking); otherwise,she’s pretty much a college grad.

Delhi gal Mandira Wirk’s line was inspired by industry,almost

as if in times like these,we should celebrate our work. Grey,black and cherry with metallic graphics suited the line that was high on sass and sophistication,with some good-looking faux fur jackets. Very confident.

The finale was overcrowded,but I,of course,had a front-row seat reserved for moi. Anamika Khanna was a grand pick for the denouement of a devilish week,she’s almost on everyone’s favourite list. For most people,Kolkata fashion begins and ends with Sabyasachi,for the discerning,there’s Anamika. Lots of antique zardozi in some classy bridal wear. And oh,those plunging necklines.