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Chivas Fashion Tour in Dubai |
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By: Shweta Shiware |
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Date:
2008-11-26 |
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Place: Dubai |
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 Fashion and film collided in Dubai last weekend. The lethal combination of actors Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra sharing newspaper space with international singer Kylie Minogue and Hollywood heavyweights Robert De Niro and Denzel Washington, present for the launch of Dubai's new luxury address Hotel Atlantis, and Indian designers dropping in to participate at the Chivas Fashion Tour, made sure India was the flavour.
The curiosity over creative diversity that Indians are now credited with, was obvious. And the Chivas desi designer line-up comprising a neat mix of "Bollywood dependents" Rocky S, Vikram Phadnis and Shantanu & Nikhil, and new India's global designers Varun Bahl, Ashish Soni, Rohit Bal, Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, Malini Ramani, Anamika Khanna, Wendell Rodricks and Raghavendra Rathore, presented an eclectic assortment of clothing ideas at the event held at Grand Hyatt.
The inclusion of veteran British designer Caroline Charles and newbie Danielle Scutt, along with Dubai's Ayesha Depala, infused a feeling of one-fashion-one-world.
Wendell Rodricks
Colour: Whites
Silhouette: Fluid
The Goa-based designer was perhaps the only one from the bunch to have a motley crew of A-list front row attendees, hooting and whistling as models sauntered in wearing designs that quite simply defined structural
simplicity. Using sparse embellishment in the form of hand-painted details, the sheer silhouettes, draped or layered, never let go of relaxed fluidity.
Malini Ramani
Colour: Metallic
Silhouette: Fitted
Sometimes, a concept connects even before the clothes make an appearance. Malini Ramani had the
undivided attention of unapologetic party lovers of Dubai, with an announcement stating, "No tax, no exams, no worries, no government only laughter and parties!" Urging the unfit to hit the treadmill, the designer's Party Planet collection was all about provocatively-fitted dresses, with a generous sprinkling of celebratory sparkle.
Varun Bahl
Colour: Sepias
Silhouette: Sensual
Cue
Colour: Jewel
Silhouette: Relaxed
No matter how fashion forward they might claim to be, but for 90% Indian designers, it's Indian wear that brings "bread and butter". But Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna, say it's the gowns that bring in moolah. "In Dubai, where women are a bit conservative in dressing, gowns make perfect sense," said Rahul. Modern and chic silhouettes were powered by the clever employment of bold prints and tube sequin work.
Highlights
We loved: That Ashish N Soni bent backwards to find inspiration in desi blossoms. He used a marigold flower print.
We loved: The-back-to-basic look used by Rocky S through simple silhouettes and minimal embellishment.
We loved: The unabashed clash of bold prints and pop colours like acid pink in Vikram Phadnis' collection. |
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