Monthly Archives: December 2009
Monica Paracha
Monapali
Known to design eclectic collections for the modern woman who wants to infuse clothes she wears with her own personality, “Monapali”, the first designer label to emerge from the ‘City of Palaces’-Kolkata over two decades ago, today skillfully combines rich heritage influences with cutting edge modern silhouettes and styles. Mona and Pali, the arduous sister twain from Bengal, who have placed Kolkata on the Indian Fashion map share a home and a cause for designing. These designers gave in to an inner duress, a natural aesthetic urge and opted out of their respective professions to pursue a dream in design with total dedication and determination. They were amongst the first few designers to hit the catwalk more than a decade ago.
- Started from home in 1985 at the behest of their friends who asked them to design clothes for them
- In 1987, they flagged off their gracious boutique ‘Monapali’ in Kolkata making their dream a reality.
- Their shows are a yearly event at Ffolio (Bangalore) and Gliterratti (Mumbai).
- Represented India in China in the ‘Festival of India in China’ in 1994
- Represented India in “Bridals Summit- Asia Pacific” in 1999 in New Delhi.
- Lakme India has launched a lipstick named after the designer duo called ‘Monapali’.
- Inducted in the Kingfisher hall of fame in the year 2000.
- In October 2002 they were the first designers from the sub continent to participate in the Toronto fashion week.
- Launched a series of sarees inspired by political party symbols in 2009 garnering huge success.
Monapali has always maintained its originality with constant experimentation, combining contemporary silhouettes, styles and textures with diverse influences based on Indian art and craft traditions. Their forte is developing forms, styles, silhouettes and surfaces (print and textures) of different kinds. They are considered by the fashion pundits as ‘Silent Contributors’ of the fashion world. Their collections are a mix of design elements generally inspired from the ethnic cultural roots of India. What make the designs distinctly Monapali is the unconventional mix of mediums: be it in textures, prints or embroidery. The designer duo were the ones who revived kantha, folk (Madhubani, Worli, Patta chitra) tribal motifs and the alpana from the realms of oblivion and elevated it to the status of Haute Couture culture.
They have their outlets in New Delhi (Hauz Khas Village), Ahmedabad and other prestigious showrooms all over India.
You can get MonaPali at:
Flora Commerce Pvt. Ltd
15 Louden Street, Kolkata
Website:www.monapali.com
Chen Cohen
Catalin Botezatu
Andres Aquino
DESIGNER BIOGRAPHY: NEETA LULLA
Eskimo Vie in India
The model rendezvous at Vie lounge and deck in Mumbai this December was to announce the most happening upsurge in the modeling and fashion industry. As Basab Paul, a pioneer in the business of luxury and lifestyle in India announced the India landing of International talent Management Company, Eskimo which has now been rechristened Eskimo Vie. Cuba Junior, a man of many talents and an experience of over 22 years in the business of fashion and film from over the world is the Indian Coo fro Eskimo Vie. The celebration showcased eight international models that were flown in from Germany and Spain. These models who have worked with renowned labels and brands in Euro
pe and America, will now work in India exclusively through Eskimo Vie. Instead of a fashion show, the models took turns posing dramatically in a specially-designed window.
pe and America, will now work in India exclusively through Eskimo Vie. Instead of a fashion show, the models took turns posing dramatically in a specially-designed window.“Fine living and lifestyle have been a part of India and our culture. I am proud to be associated with the projects that serve a platform in presenting Mumbai as a truly world class city. Our company endeavors in constantly setting bench marks for ourselves in luxury and hospitality segments. With Vie and C’est La Vie already having a positive impact, I am delighted to introduce Eskimo Vie and the COO Cuba Junior to India. Fashion of course will be the priority with a strong focus on bridging the Indian and international film route,” said Basab Paul on the occasion of celebration.
Swarovski and its Elements
The latest trend alert, “If you are wearing diamonds you should never stand next to me,” says Sanjay Sharma, Country Head Crystallized Swarovski. This statuary warning relates to an incident when Rohit Bal wearing an exquisite diamond brooch was standing next to Sanjay and a lot of people complimented him for his diamond brooch taking it to be a Swarovski creation.
Swarovski came to India in 1999 specifically targeting the fashion and garments industry, realizing the need for crystallized elements both in its domestic and export market. Indian fashion market at that time was a fledgling and the designers did not have substantial access to the crystals by Swarovski and thus were not able to compete with the international fashion market. In its nine long years of journey in India Crystallized Swarovski has grown with an industry (fashion) that was laying its foundation.
The name itself being a tongue twister for India, the path was not paved crystalline fo
r Swarovski from getting itself attached to designers individually and survive an overtly price sensitive Indian market to achieving a position where a brand name Crystallized Swarovski becomes generic for crystallized elements across the planet. It has been associated with designers like JJ Valaya, Rohit Bal, Suneet Varma, Manish Arora from their first showcase and till date when the relationship has crossed boundaries of being a mere element supplier and client.
The latest to the already exhaustive crystal menu is the mosaic crystal and with it also comes an association with Rajesh Pratap Singh (a designer whose sensibility can be least expected to be crystalline) that actually completes the client list for Swarovski in India setting it out to look for newer pastures. Hence after appeasing the design appetite of even th
e no bling Rajesh Pratap Singh, Crystallized Swarovski steps into the fashion jewellery section for India. Sanjay says, “Growing from a primarily marriage jewellery the market in India has graduated to witness a renaissance in fashion jewellery with more and more women going out for work and need to dress accordingly.” Swarovski forecasts an unexpected breakthrough in fashion jewellery with the growing demand of dressing for everyday occasion, breaking the barriers that used to place jewellery in lockers. Though yet again it is working with a sector which is still a cottage industry in India, Crystallized Swarovski is taking a 360 degree review of the potential and kinetics of the market catalyzing various associations with jewellery designers, design colleges, craftsmen and workshops.
Bridal Thoroughfare at Samsaara
The barat, varmala, shenai, phere and the vidai where else in the world is wedding such an elaborate affair. In India wedding puts at display an amazing array of garments jewellery and fashion that could easily undermine our fashion weeks. Samsaara, a unique concept fashion destination previews its bridal collection by Neeta Lulla and Viral Parikh of Virtues at their South Extension store in Delhi.On the racks is present Neeta Lulla’s line of finely designed and conceived bridal sarees, shalwar suits and tunics. The pieces 
of attire are strongly laid out capturing the traditional charm of Indian culture and at the same time echo the flavor of western styles. Ensembles created have been crafted with zardozi to Swarovski crystal work with an accent of Chantilly lace edgings, satin ribbon textures, tulle ruffle and layering. Fabrics that adorn the bride are yards of georgettes, silks, net and crepes in bright vivacious colours of Indian red, rani pink and emerald green.
of attire are strongly laid out capturing the traditional charm of Indian culture and at the same time echo the flavor of western styles. Ensembles created have been crafted with zardozi to Swarovski crystal work with an accent of Chantilly lace edgings, satin ribbon textures, tulle ruffle and layering. Fabrics that adorn the bride are yards of georgettes, silks, net and crepes in bright vivacious colours of Indian red, rani pink and emerald green. Sharing the rack is Virtues with their latest bridal line inspired from the Bollywood masterpieces like Pake
ezah and Umraojaan. The collection focuses on soft pastel colours such as ivory, beige, gold, pink, peach, lilac and sea green & blue. The intricate embroideries from the old eras are highlighted against the soft colour base with gold and beige colours dominating the collection. The line comprises of lehangas, heavy suits, robes, kalidars and even mid length skirts with churidars teamed up with blousons. Embroidery techniques such as cutwork, marodi, vasali and gota have been extensively used.
ezah and Umraojaan. The collection focuses on soft pastel colours such as ivory, beige, gold, pink, peach, lilac and sea green & blue. The intricate embroideries from the old eras are highlighted against the soft colour base with gold and beige colours dominating the collection. The line comprises of lehangas, heavy suits, robes, kalidars and even mid length skirts with churidars teamed up with blousons. Embroidery techniques such as cutwork, marodi, vasali and gota have been extensively used.The collection will be available at all Samsaara stores across India.
