Day 2: Unadulterated fun as young guns steal show

[1]

A model showcases a creation by designer Ritu Beri on Saturday.

Even as glamouristas is debating whether the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week should have been held a month ago, making it a true spring-summer 2011 celebration, day two at Pragati Maidan promised unadulterated fun as young guns stole the limelight.
From the savvy Aneeth Arora who enthralled everyone with his Jamdanis and Ikkats done beautifully on carefree mulmul dresses, the play between grey, white and black was spectacular. Block prints rubbed shoulders with panelled dresses and woven floral motifs played with check scarves. The young designer left bling behind to pay a heartfelt tribute to his love for everything Indian. Garment construction seemed to be the flavour of the season and many greenhorns seemed to have perfected their craft, so “Gridlock”, Anand Bhushan’s line showed how well he understood the importance of a good finish when he showcased his linen-flap dresses and organza tops with flirty capris.
Embroidery had been intelligently replaced by beads, in the cube-beaded jersey dresses that created a stunning effect on the catwalk.
The philosophy was to show a bustling metropolis with clashing silhouettes and colours that reflect the duality of a big city. “I think as Indians we will never abandon embroideries, but yes, it is good to do something different,” said Anand.
In a glamorous world where each designer is desperately trying to outdo the other in terms of shock value, the couple that managed to win the crown hands down was Alpana and Neeraj, with their eye-popping acid greens, flaming reds and raw yellows.
The edgy and theatrical line did have some fabulous patchwork dresses and one shoulder tops that were well constructed, but somewhere down the line they forgot the wearability factor.
“I have buyers who have loved the line, and now women want statement pieces and are willing to experiment, this line is for those few,” said Alpana.
Quite in contrast was the subdued Samant Chauhan, who on the soothing notes of the flute and birds chirping in the background sent lithe girls on the catwalk in delicate dresses, with simple and pleasing silhouettes.
His subtle touches could be seen in the dexterously pleated backs of dresses that added to the visual appeal of the ensemble.
Brown and butter seem to be his favourite and the boy from Bhagalpur got his act right with dropped waists and exaggerated hemlines.
Despite the fact that his factory got flooded just before fashion week and the last months being crucial for his line, his homage to Kora and geometrical shapes was surely a treat to watch.
And how can one forget the printed sperms floating on structured dresses, by Kallol Dutta, but what he did was added a little drama and yes, his Shibori-fold dress and jailstripes were endearing, much like Little Shilpa’s headpieces that lit up a dark hall and gave the spectators, value for time, let’s not say money.