Society’s Queenie Singh pens her impressions of the inaugural show of the Mumbai fashion jamboree.
I spotted him through the blinding flashbulbs as I made my way into the venue for the curtain raiser for fashion week. Gudda (designer Rohit Bal) wore a slick white suit, his silver hair worn long, as he welcomed his guests at the entrance. Something you don’t see designers doing before their show as they are usually backstage, panicked as the countdown begins.
I bumped into (designer) Aki Narula, looking chic wearing a waistcoat over a baggy white shirt. “You will love the show,” he whispered in my ear. (Designer) JJ Valaya greeted me with a bear hug. Aha! This is one show where I will meet all the designer fraternity, a sign of respect to the performing designer. I blinked again when I saw (designer) Sabyasachi. “You look different,” I remarked over the growing din of the people as they were coming in to seat themselves. “I’ve let my hair grow out,” he laughed. I liked it! (Biz honcho) Anil and Sabina Chopra had already taken their seats, which means the show should start soon. As I walked on the ramp constructed between branches of trees laden with fragrant jasmine, I got a glimpse of (entrepreneur) Reena Wadhwa in Gucci and behind her was the once hottie star Anu Agarwal in a short black dress absorbed in conversation. I could see more chairs being put on the front row, to extend it….a familiar sight during fashion week.
Did I see (designer) Narendra Kumar and (restaurateur) AD Singh wearing similar jackets? After the show I did check out the difference as I chatted with AD (soon to be daddy), models Reshma Bombaywala (soon to be a mummy) and Tamara.
The show started with the music of Furilese as the first model stunned the audience with the precision only Gudda is capable of. I saw (music composer) Anu Malik dive to get to his seat. Macrame and crochet juxtaposed with loth (raised metallic embroidery) and patchwork swirled on the ramp. Each ensemble getting an applause. I shook my head. This man never disappoints. His creativity, design and play with colours top the charts. He is also one of the very few designers who does not believe that he needs drama from Bollywood to prove himself. Arjun Rampal (actor) gloriously ended the show not to contradict that, but because he is one of Gudda’s dearest and oldest friends.
As I walked out, scores of people were walking in for the after party to continue into chaotic madness and buzz which is synonymous with the beginning of Lakme Fashion Week.
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