This week fashion’s highest authority Suzy Menkes made a conflicting observation: the graduating class of London’s prestigious Central St. Martins forecasted “constant, roomy, oversize shapes” while all over New York and London fashion weeks, the holy grails of fashion, the look was sleek, slender and structured.
“Is volume the new shape?” questioned Menkes as she pondered over the fact that “designers this season have mostly focused on the long, thin and shapely. But a Saint Martin’s graduate is supposed to be ahead of the curve,” to finally conclude that “the future of fashion is straight, square and huge.” Pakistan has already grown quite fed up of the tent-like voluminous look which has been en vogue for over four years now, with many women criticising the loose heavy look for the yards and yards of fabric that it requires. As the new kid on the block, Mohsin Ali, pointed out: women who are pregnant or post-partum or just too plain lazy to work out, have loved the cover-up that loose forms provide, but the young (and fit) are itching to move beyond the sacks. “The next trend to hit us will be a ‘v’ line,” predicts Ali. “The hemlines would converge in a ‘v’ up front and the sleeves would be batwing.”
In the absence, thus far, of any further statement from Dior, where Galliano has been creative director since 1996, the fate of the Christian Dior autumn/winter 2011 showing on March 4 – one of the highlights of this week’s Paris prêt-à-porter season – appears to hang in the balance
Bollywood Fashion at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards!
Posted by Lucky on Mar 1, 2011
The 83rd Annual Academy Awards took place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. It was not just Hollywood’s A-Listers that walked the red carpet but some of Bollywood’s brightest attended the Oscars.Abhishek Bachchan and wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walked the red carpet together. Aishwarya opted for a trendy shimmering bronze Armani Prive gown whilst hubby Abhishek chose a smart black suit and bow tie.
Abhishek and Aishwarya were not the only Bollywood stars attending the event, Mallika Sherawat too shimmered on the red carpet in a Mark Bouwer sequined white gown. Mallika Sherawat shared her excitement about being at the Oscars with her fans via Twitter. The actress tweeted, “lovin being here, such energy in this room! Nicole Kidman is so sweet said I looked stunning OMG:) She’s gorgeous and TALL!”
Music maestro, A. R. Rahman returned to the awards ceremony, walking the red carpet with his wife Saira Banu. A. R. Rahman opted for a smart, black suit and a vibrant blue tie. Saira Banu chose Indian attire wearing a white Indian style suit with a white and gold scarf covering her head. A. R Rahman was nominated for an Oscar for his song ‘If I Rise’ for Danny Boyle’s ‘127 Hours.’ Unfortunately A.R Rahman did not take home an Oscar this year, but he did perform the song on stage with British singer Florence Welch.
SUMMER 2011
A brilliant backdrop runway with cinematic soundtrack, the show started with fresh and youthful collection. The opening tableau in prints at the opulent techno- forward show last Friday night, Feb. 18 really popped, the mood was exhilarating and high octane.
Amidst the parade of boho-chic, psychedelic ready to wear wardrobes, one most interesting point was the vibrant color riots on the runway, from azure blue to yellow, fuchsia and earth tones, the clothes veered to stylish freedom with more fashion attitude and choices. Models glided down the catwalk in an array of summer time fabrics like poplin, pure cotton and twills to lighten up the spring.
The focus was squarely on combination and styling, a breezy mix with plenty of movements, keeping in mind the urban look that doesn’t need to be less ordinary. Splash Spring/ Summer aesthetic is thoughtful and interesting while never sacrificing comfort and wearability. Raza Beig, the company’s CEO has a keen eye on trends and excels at easywears, stunning on its simplicity and agreeable nature.
Other deceptively simple plays on classic summer wardrobe staples included a colorful men’s outer wear with low-hanging waist and narrow folded hemlines. Nothing forced, and nothing without a luxurious detail to set it apart.
Splash appeal is the versatility of pieces, unfussy but special and appropriate for a wide variety of customers. The effortlessness and ease that guides the retail concepts showed the brand’s serious goals towards its vision of leading the best street couture wear in the Middle East.
Among our favourites from the collection are the tie-dyed polo and richly hued violet drape dress pictured above. The harlem pant, another covetable piece in cool, crisp white is sure to be another spring staple. Whether simply paired with a camisole, or worn with a chambray shirt, it’s the perfect pant for lounging while sipping mojitos (wishful thinking) and running around town (in sandals, no less).
Neha Dhupia, Shilpa Shetty, Amrita Rao at Manish's Mijwan Fashion
