Fashion fever

So,is this collection his next Autumn/Winter one? “I do not care about words like Spring and Winter. Let us not fool ourselves that we are living in North India or Europe. My collection is for the festive season which runs from September to February when most celebrations and parties are held,” he says,adding,“Also,I don’t believe in trends or forecasts. We set the trends.”

The well-known designer has been exhibiting and retailing in Pune for long. While he does see the city as a market that needs to be tapped,he says,“Due to a limited clientele,one needs to ensure that styles are not repeated. The potential for business here is huge.”

Rahul MishraMishra,through his collection at the show,wants to make a bigger statement than style. “My collection is called The Butterfly Effect and though it’s not preachy,it will definitely draw attention to the issue of global warming,” the designer says. Inspired by the concrete jungles we live in,each garment in the collection will tell a story. “My garments are essentially western but they have a flexible element as I’ve worked with black and white,” he adds.

Mishra’s philosophy of ‘Slow Fashion’ will seep through as the models will walk the runway. “I don’t sell garments,I tell stories. Slow fashion involves slow processes wherein the work is all hand-embroidered and the fabrics used are natural ones. I’ve been retailing in Pune through Rudraksh and I’ve realised that people here know what intelligent fashion is. If someone in Paris is very stylish but if she uses fur,then she’s not an intelligent fashion person,” he explains.

Mishra’s focus,since his debut in the industry in 2006,has always been on generating employment for people. “The rural people are big stakeholders of our country and since I use fabrics from Kerala,Mysore,Gujarat and Bhagalpur,I am generating work for the people there. I still use Kerala handloom and keep innovating with the style. Even at the show in Pune,potential buyers will be treated to natural fibres and eco-friendly,chic designs,” he says.

Paras and Shalini Bairoliya (Geisha Designs) Designers Paras and Shalini will go beyond the trendy and chic look to display their never-seen-before bridal collection. Paras says,“The sarees,in varied fabrics like chiffon and georgette,are adorned with nets,Victorian work and Gota work. The silhouettes are all classy and the Lehengas have heavy work on them,but are not weighty. It’s a jewel-toned look.” The duo will also show their Autumn/Winter collection which will feature muted hues like pista green and charcoal. “The garments have been embellished with a lot of textural and tonal work,and some frills,like fabric flowers. The festive sequence is more romantic in its feel,something of a break from the usual for us,” he adds.

“Pune is one of the top-notch fashion selling points of the country. Here,fashion really translates into business. It all is a testimony to the globe-trotting,cosmopolitan crowd,that’s exposed to the world culture,but prefers to come back to the city’s decidedly laid-back charm,” Paras smiles.

Pune had its first Fashion Week this year and several other cities have followed suit. He says,“These are essentially trade events and not parties. The big drawback is that foreign buyers,who come to these events to order business,are left confused in this glut of everyone claiming to be the best. There is no harm in having so many events,as long as the product doesn’t take a back seat.”

Priyadarshini RaoHer prêt and luxury prêt disappear off the racks in a jiffy owing to their contemporary look and feel. “My garments keep up with times. At the show,fashionistas will definitely love the chiffon and Georgette tunics. It’s a very afternoon collection that’s elegant and stylish and have cream,beige and brown hues to them in keeping with the paddocks and the turf. It’s not starched fashion,” says designer Priyadarshini Rao.

Her second collection will lean towards festive and showcase brocades and embroidered georgettes that are perfect for evening wear. “Like the tunics,these can be teamed with tights,stretched Chudidars or even Capris,” she adds.

She has been retailing at Rudraksh for two years now and is pleased with the Pune sales. She says,“Pune may not be a destination for fashion,but the scenario has changed a lot. I’ve had a preview here before and it was great to see people dressed so well. Pune has a classy sense of fashion and won’t go the Bollywood way!”

Other than previews,Fashion Weeks are a great platform for designers to showcase their collections. “But now,in different cities,it has become more of a money-making event for organisers. Look at France – only Paris has a Fashion Week. In India,we have arrived on the scene a little late and everyone’s jumping for the same piece of pie!” she exclaims.