STYLE DU JOUR

Now back to my question: was it the chicken or the egg that came first? And how does this ancient tug of war fare into fashion? Well for the purpose of this blog... this is what I mean. Is it the designers who are scared to experiment in the fear that no one will buy their garbs and therefore leaving us consumers with little choice in fashion here in India? OR is it the consumer who knows too little to experiment in the first place and therefore not progressive enough for the designers to produce experimental clothes for the market? And why am I asking such a definitive question? Well the answer lies in yesterday’s Grey Goose Style Du Jour at Tote in Mumbai. 

 

Here was a very well put together event with a lovely big turn out of the who’s who of Bollywood and the fashion world. Everything was perfect in terms of the event but when it came to fashion it truly was the same old glitter, blinged-out lackluster gowns appearing in throngs. Yes, we do bling well in India and we have beautiful fashion but no one is choosing to experiment with it. Which is why I am asking the proverbial “WHY?” Why aren’t we experimenting?

 

There is one thing for certain, I attend many events each week as a model on the ramp, an anchor on stage or an invitee for appearances and I rarely see any celebrity or socialite bold enough to create their own stylistic niche and just let go and have fun with fashion. There are of course a lovely few who have managed to set themselves a part from the rest with their fashion sensibilities. A very brazen Anushka Manchanda who never fails to hit the spot with her array of fashionable attire or the Dandekar sisters who funkafie their looks with a western sensibility and models such as Nina Manuel, Carol Gracias and Bhavna Sharma. Apart from a few... the pickings are slim my friends and this makes me very sad to say the least. 

 

Last night Anushka Manchanda stepped out in a hot pink, uber-revealing one piece by designer Tanya Sharma of Gaga. No doubt in anyone’s mind... this girl took the cake on confidence and style.  Don’t get me wrong, everyone looked glam and lovely but it was a fashion event with the likes of three major fashion houses merging and the absence of expressive fashion was sorely felt.  Bhavna Sharma danced the night away in her chic hair cut and Manish Arora ensemble which definitely stood out. There were splashes of one of our favorites, designer Masaba, who always pushes the boundaries and of course my personal favorite Nikhil Thampi who has exploded onto the scene with such gusto that everyone has been forced to sit up and pay attention. 

 

I was very lucky indeed to be able to wear a long neck to floor black cape of his with a rather heavy gold chain and a short skirt. It was a touch of gothic-meets-glam and if you Google the event, his outfit has made it to the top of all the fashion pages!! Well done Nikhil Thampi... post the jaw dropping Vogue outfit you had created for me, you have managed to do it again with your individuality and sassiness. Overall, the night was a lot of fun and watching the blue carpet with its array of fashionistas was a night unto itself. But my question does still stand for all you fashion junkies out there... Are we in India scared to experiment with fashion?? OR do you think designers are not experimental enough??

 

Remember to follow me on twitter for a roller coaster ride through fashion @KarishmaNaina