Monthly Archives: August 2011

Troy Costa for VHIMW 2011

There is a desire for renewed elegance this season at VHIMW 2011.

Troy Costa in these times of new austerity is inspired by concepts left in the dark for too long. BEING IN THE BLACK is an expression used to indicate prosperity. Tuxedos represent the ultimate crescendo in men’s luxury wear & The Jacket, once again reinstates itself as the undisputed protagonist of the male wardrobe.
 
Formal wear explores new expressive, urban & contemporary codes giving life to tailored ensembles with new proportions that focus the attention on the shoulders. Shaped silhouettes encounter cutting edge technology. Fabrics are often quilted, lacquered & heat sealed, not leaving aside any embellishment & decoration to concentrate on shape & cleanliness of cut & line – which is the signature of every Troy Costa design.
 
The Troy Costa man not only gives in to whims, once reserved for women such as sequins, lurex, velvet, but he also re affirms his virility without exasperating it. The Troy Costa man is ‘masculine without being macho’. So confident that he can wear rosettes, carry a clutch or a handbag.

Sanchita Ajjampur for VHIMW 2011

Van Heusen India Mens Week 2011 is just a week away, and the fashion fever is catching up. Surely, going to soar the temperature is Sanchita Ajjampur’s conservative yet flamboyant collection tapping into your inner geek, focusing on contemporary aesthetics combined with time honored artisanal expertise.

Transforming the classic shapes are woodcut prints, naturally oxidized metal and vintage details on fine jerseys. Architectonic schemes and reversed folk traditions create wild geometrics and wavy forms on super fine crunchy cotton t-shirts.

Showing a heavy Japanese influence subtle patterns of Japanese stripes and checks along with hybrid images with splotches of color could be seen on classic and slim fitted shirts, bomber jackets, waistcoats and trousers in treated ultrafine jerseys and handloom cotton muslin, with pocket detailing and rolled up ankles. Crumpled twill pants and shorts, and contemporary Japanese coats and loungewear with contrast piping would also be seen in the collection.

The brilliant palette of murano sculptures enrobe classical Japanese sensibility through Vénitien rouge, Hematite, ocre citron, Lazurite , Celadonite, Malachite, Raw Green Umber,Vivianite, Bone black, Cobalt Zinc, Azurite and Titanium.

A range of collapsible shoes and bags in natural harvested yarns and hand dyed multiple colour compilations with intense bursts of colour on textured high top shoes without compromising on the purity of the past sports era. Comfortable hats in natural fibers, dorky glasses and hand knotted scarves add an edge to this collaborative artistry.

 

Let

One –of- its-kind exhibitions, ‘Weavolution’ by Gaurav Jai Gupta of Studio Akaaro was recently organized at CMYK Book Store, New Delhi.

The first in the series it was more like an interactive session held in the calm of a book store focusing on the current state of hand woven textiles and crafts through presentations and seminars. While exploring the potential of handlooms, their past to fate, the event was a great learning experience for any fashion enthusiast about the different aspects of fashion from the eye of the intellectuals like Rita Kapoor Chishti, a renowned textile expert and historian. 

Amidst the informative shelves containing the books about fashion, Akaaro’s latest home line was also on display. Gaurav talked about the design interventions and technical developments which are helping to contemporize hand woven textiles in India, whilst integrating traditional skills to develop a dynamic language relevant in current times.

About this endeavour Gaurav says, “We preferred a book store over some café or restaurant, as it’s all about talk, minus glamour. It’s a different sort of setting in a book shop letting the attendees know about fashion in detail; like what it goes in the making of fabric and how ethical fashion is the need of the hour.”

Some of the renowned names of fashion like Joyjit Talukdar, Divyam Mehta and Pallavi Mohan were seen exchanging words with the guests.

Manolo Blahnik

Blahnik learnt the art of making shoes by visiting factories…

Fashion meets Technology

One of the famous German luxury domestic appliances manufacturers, Miele lately hosted an evening of fashion with fashion designer Sonia Jetleey over scrumptious food at its state-of-the-art Experience Center at Jasola, New Delhi.

High on fashion and style, Sonia presented the collection, titled ‘Potpourri’ in sync with Miele’s stylish pedigree and craftsmanship. The evening witnessed models walking across in Sonia’s beautiful ensembles followed by a lavish dinner prepared exclusively by Miele’s in house chefs.

The elegant collection as seen before in WIFW A/W 2011 combines the baroque styling motifs in printing techniques like discharge, engineered shibori and hand crafted embroidery techniques on Indian fabric lending a unique feel to the ensembles. Quilted jackets worn with Jodhpur pants, asymmetric skirts, tunics, kaftans and sarees appeared in the color palette of porcelain blue, apple green, gothic grape, chilli pepper and beeswax yellow.

Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik began his extraordinary career in the Seventies and continues to be a champion of timeless and beautifully crafted designs. He was born in 1943 in the Canary Islands to a Spanish mother and Czech father. He studied art and literature at the University of Geneva, before moving to Paris in 1965 where he decided to become a set designer. It was during his trip to New York in 1971, Blahnik was introduced to Diana Vreeland, then the editor-in-chief of US Vogue, by Picasso. Once he had been persuaded to show her his sketches and after admiring the shoes he had on – a tiny Edwardian pair from Portobello Market – Vreeland insisted that he "should concentrate on the funny little things on the feet".

Blahnik learnt the art of making shoes by visiting factories where he talked to machine operators, pattern cutters and technicians. His first collection was designed for Ossie Clark in 1972 from then he never looked back in his life.  In 1973, he opened Zapata, a boutique on Old Church Street in London which soon became regularly frequented by Bianca Jagger, Marie Helvin and Jerry Hall. Now universally known as ‘Manolo’s’, Blahnik’s shoes are coveted by a long list of famous clientele from celebrities to royalty. Madonna once described shoes designed by Blahnik as "better than sex" and added that, "what’s more, they last longer". Later, his name became synonymous when his designs took ‘supporting roles’ on the hit television shows Absolutely Fabulous and Sex And The City.

Manolo Blahnik has become one of the world most influential footwear designers. A craftsman with an impeccable eye for detail, Blahnik plays the major part in the creation of his designs, from the initial sketches to creating his own advertising campaigns which always feature in his drawings. The lines and silhouette of his distinctive handwriting however remain instantly recognizable as unique. In 2003, he was honored with a retrospective exhibition of his drawings, memorabilia and collections at the Design Museum in London.

You can get Manolo Blahnik designs at:

www.manoloblahnik.com

City Bank Report
Citibank
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Bounce
9-Aug-2011
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Cotton World Report
Cottonworld
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28-July-2011
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