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The mermaid maze

What is it about the hour-glass silhouette which has so many actresses going wobbly-kneed on the red carpet? After Hrs explores..

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Last year at Cannes, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan totally knocked it out of the ballpark with her mermaid-shape gold Roberto Cavalli gown. The appearance sent shock waves across the style spectrum, whipping a lot of actresses into the mermaid frenzy. Since then the trend of wearing these dresses has shown no sign of mitigating. Jacqueline Fernandez recently wore a lacey Gaurav Gupta couture mermaid piece. Not long ago, Chitrangada had opted for the same hour-glass silhouette at an awards night. Deepika Padukone wore one at the Dubai premiere of Happy New Year and at a magazine soiree, Aditi Rao Hydari opted for a mermaid number which had illusion panels. Recently, Sophie Choudry cut a striking figure at the Screen awards red carpet in a one-shouldered Mayyur Girotra gown. Patralekha attended the Filmfare bash in a green Roberto Cavalli gown which had a mermaid-esque silhouette. In fact, mermaid lehengas seem to be trending too and some of the celebs at Arpita Khan's wedding reception were spotted in the same. What is it about these gowns and Indian actresses that goes so well together? Is it the taut-curvy shape or the towering figures? Is it the tried-and-test route to score brownie points on the red carpet? Also, over the years, the silhouette has become a bit of an evening cliche?

Flatters curvy body type
As much as cringe-worthy we might find them, a mermaid gown lends a certain persona to a woman and transforms the entire walk on the red carpet. Designer Nachiket Barve says, "One's transported to the vintage era and it brings back old school glamour. Think Ava Gardener or Rita Hayworth. It works best when you are slightly curvy and toned like Sofia Vergara. However, if you are athletic and fine-limbed like Tilda Swinton, you should opt for edgier labels like Lanvin or Victor and Rolf. In India, people love this notion of the screen goddess. Aishwarya Rai last year looked sensational in Roberto Cavalli in Cannes. Also,the silhouette has a larger-than-life diva quality."

Adds grandeur to red carpet
Designer Rajat Tangri has been using the mermaid silhouette for the last four to five seasons. He says, "However, I have added elements like peplum in order to avoid the attention on the hips. The mermaid gown definitely adds grandeur as you have a classic tail following you. However, you have to be in shape. If someone is big on the hips or thighs or with a pear-shaped body, it's not for them. The whole focus tends to go on the flaws. Haute couture houses have been doing this silhouette for quite a while now but of late, it's kind off revived again. A lot of my gowns have interesting corset detailing and boning, which adds structure to the look."

Classic and timeless
Mermaid gown is a classic and complements the hourglass body-type. It accentuates the feminine features or accents like the hips and fuller bust. Designer Aniket Satam says, "It is a sensual silhouette without exposing too much skin. It is the best silhouette for someone who wants to look taller as the extended and flared hemline giving the visual pyramid effect. The starting of the extended flare plays a very vital role - an inch above the knee or few inches below the knee can make and break the impact of the gown as it restricts the movement of the wearer. "
He adds, "The extended and elaborate flared hem is best balanced with either old school willpower neckline or sexy and daring plunging deep halter necklines."

Not for flat-chested'
Designer and stylist Rick Roy says, "If it's a curvy body, it works better and it holds your contours. If you don't have the right shape and you are flat-chested, ditch it. It looks nicer on women who are tall because you are breaking the silhouette and it doesn't give you the height. It cuts your shape. It's nice only on the right kind of body like Beyonce who pulls it off beautifully. Malaika Arora Khan looks lovely in mermaid kind of gowns. It is a very body-specific outfit. Don't just wear it because it's a trend."

Only for tall women
Designer and stylist Ken Ferns says, "I would never make a short actress wear it because then you are killing the dress and also your height. Honestly, the mermaid silhouette doesn't make a statement on its own unless teamed with a backless back. Also, the upper part of the ensemble has to be exceptionally beautiful. The trumpet or mermaid lehengas going around don't make an impact. Mermaid silhouette has been around forever in the West and Indian market always looks for something which West has already done."

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