Be it a flamboyant fuchsia maxi ‘date’ dress, an hourglass cocktail gown or the sensuous silk bridal saree, there is one such ‘never-give-away’ piece that forms the tapestry of a moment in life.
Italian Antonia Maino breezed into India as a gorgeous gori and suitably settled into our hearts as the Bharatiya bahu in crisp sarees. But her remarkable transformation tells a story of cultural unification. A dutiful wife, propelled into politics, no grasp over language and limited knowledge about mindsets. Today, the handloom-clad Sonia Gandhi is the new Tulsi in the minds of many. Ghanshyam Sarode, a textile merchant who is passionate about reviving traditional weaves, says, “I have supplied 60 Khadi sarees with contrast border and Jhamnani butis to Sonia ji. These sarees and her image have endeared her to the people of India.”
Entrepreneur Priyanka Acharya speaks of a ‘yellow delight’ that is still special to her. “When I was studying in New York, I went to this Spanish vintage store with a friend. I noticed a beautiful yellow dress. Being a student I never thought I could afford it. But the guy was nice enough to give it to me for USD 35,” she smiles. Reminiscing about her outing in the dress she says, “I wore it to my senior year college prom, and in Chennai I wore it to a piano concert organised by my husband.”
For model Alicia Raut a printed dress chronicles the high points of her modelling career. “I have a special leopard print dress I wore in Hyderabad when I was part of the Miss India team. It is truly special and I even did many magazine shoots in it,” says the model mommy.
To some, the most ordinary outfit could open the floodgate of memories. Actor Tamannah reminisces, “I loved my school years. When I was in class 10, our school had a yellow uniform. As I graduated from school all my friends signed it and teachers wrote messages of love. I was a brilliant student and this reminds me of my years at school. I still try to fit into it sometimes,” she giggles.
And then there are what one could call the Oprah fluctuations. Her wardrobe would reveal the best and worst times of her journey. Like a tell-all book on her trysts with fad diets, success and lapsing back into binge eating, her designer wardrobe reveals some of the most figure-flattering cuts as she showcased during an auction of her possessions.
Aishwarya Dhanush, daughter of superstar Rajinikanth, has a different take on her special item of clothing. “For me dad is everything. He has raised me with the values needed to face the world. So, every time I get an opportunity to celebrate him, I wear him on my sleeve, quite literally,” she says. At the recent special screenings of Robot in Chennai and Mumbai, the dancer married to actor Dhanush reveals, “I got a tunic made by Nida Mehmood in one and a half day. She printed dad’s photo all over it and I got lots of compliments for it.”
Then there is the Sydney realtor Mary Donaldson who had a clandestine meet with crown Prince Frederik of Denmark during the Olympic Games 2004. Initially regarded as rough-on-the-edges Sydney-sider, she soon transformed into a wardrobe fantasy. The Uffe Frank wedding gown she wore, many royal watchers say, helped endear her to the king and queen. Cataloguing the rich seams of history might seem silly, but when you bring out that photo album tucked away in the attic — you shall be sure to smile.