February 2011 - Page 13 of 16

After months of well deserved attention and anticipation, countless publishing parties and debut events, on July 15th, 2010, the 10 volume Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion by Joanne B. Eicher was released. Hitting the shelves like a bolt of lightning, of which thundering aftershocks are still being felt almost 6 months later, the newest, and perhaps most exciting surprise behind this global sensation, reached our ears only days ago. The Oxford University Press, heralded for expertly taking the lead in publishing this huge series, has now released the Encyclopedia’s sister, the Berg Fashion Library…online. Though somewhat different in its form and content, this sister library is just as bold and just as beautiful as her counterpart. For scholars, professors, students, or devoted fashionistas, this is it: the moment upon which great things are made. Selling for just under $2,000, the 10 volume collection is as rare as a snowy day in August, hard for even the most suave connection to secure.

Spanning the globe from biblical times to present day, the Encyclopedia is the first in history to discuss, comprehensively, all topics relevant to the study of individuals, groups, and entire world cultures and their complex relationships to dress, costume, and the art of fashion. Each volume covers a different geographical region (i.e., Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, The United States & Canada, South Asia & Southeast Asia, etc.), written from the lifetime work of over 720 academics and scholars. With 760 articles and over 2,000 photographs and illustrations, it has continued to shake ground the world over. Hold your Prada bags tight; next month’s paycheck will go towards bringing this grand piece of history into your living room, before it’s, well, history.

On Friday, October 22nd, 2010, the Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion launch event took place on the University of Minnesota campus at the College of Design in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Pictured left are pieces from the night’s show, celebrating the beauty of fashion at one of the most renowned design schools in the nation.

For other great reads and fashion finds, peruse the following:

Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915 by Sharon Sadako Takeda, Kaye Durland Spilker, and John Galliano.

The Berg Companion to Fashion, edited by Valerie Steele.

The Dictionary of Fashion History by Valerie Cumming, C. W. Cunnington, and P. E. Cunnington.

Posted by : Courtney O’Kane Academy of Art University Alumna at 03:13 AM (IST)

Share |

Textile designer with certain perceptive on her own. Eco-friendly ideas of recycled and reused plastic material to create an avant garde collection FUSION. I have been influenced by her work and been planning to connect with her and ask her to solve my queries about development of this collection. About which material she used to inflect this whole new idea of changing definition if rain coats.

Jane bowler is recent graduate from Royal College of Art , from where she done her Master’s in Mix Media. The collection was created during her final year of my MA at the Royal college of Art. The collection began by a series of experiments in which she fused, and melted various combinations of materials but later much lesser version in whole process. Her FUSION collection is been done with the process of stitch –free , combined with industrial techniques. Such as heat-forming and ultrasonic welding.the latter method involves high frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations to bind material together.

“ I used to think that Rain Coats are just functional garment to protect us from Rain.” But now I cannot agree more with Jane. Bowler used plastic shower curtains, bathmats and rubber flooring. And she been making use of other re-appropriated and reclaimed materials from scrap projects, ranging from; plastic offcuts, plastic drinks bottles and pvc table cloths.

Definitely m more curious and infatuated with textile studies now. My question fusion is Eco-friendly ??? Fusion makes use of re-appropriated and recycled materials. She also follow a zero waste ethic, by making use of every plastic off-cut by remelting it into hoods/jewellery; as well as producing rubber moulds which are designed to be re-useable.

At the core of fusion’s high tech engineering is bowler’s belief that recycled product can be luxurious innovative and desirable. “Fusion is designed to make plastic fantastic for longer” No doubt on that.

Inspiration from Traditional Japanese Straw coats called MINO, which is formally used for same purpose as rain coat. Modern primitive aesthetic as highlighted in WGSN ‘s S/S 2012 macro trend.(Blink Blink) Jane Bowler.

Through sumptuous color, lustrous gloss and natural fibres pushing boundaries of rain wear.She specially told about her future continuation to follow an eco-friendly ethic in the fusion wearable range, as well as future projects.And she is currently working on creating a wearable range, based around the same aesthetics and processes.

I’M~FASHIONISTAS by MoniCa Singh

Share |

Manish Arora is the new Creative Director for the internationally known fashion label PacoRabanne. The first collection created by Manish for PacoRabanne will be revealed in October at the Paris Fashion Week so we can’t wait to see the results!

Things change rapidly in the fashion world and this is actually a good thing as fashion is supposed to always reinvent itself and bring new things to the “table” so that the interest towards fashion is always maintained high. One of the latest changes is given by the PacoRabanne brand, which has confirmed Manish Arora asPacoRabanne’s creative director.

There had been rumours circulating that PacoRabanne is considering to bring Manish Arora to join their team and these rumours have just been confirmed. We can’t help but wonder if Manish Arora will maintain the same style that PacoRabanne has gotten us used to or is he going to put his colourful signature into the new designs.

Manish Arora is an internationally known Indian fashion designer who has given fashion design a whole new meaning through interesting and uber-colourful designs and dressed celebrities like Nicky Minaj, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and many others. Colour and innovation is a definite trademark for Manish Arora and we absolutely love his work. With an almost artistic approach, this fashion guru manages to make each and every fashion piece stand out and attract attention, which is definitely what fashion should do; underline the style and beauty of an outfit.

The PacoRabanne fashion house is best known for creating innovative designs so they are trying to go back to the roots. This is where Manish Arora seems to come in as he is known for his talent of giving materials a new meaning through the construction process.

Manish Arora’s job is to make the brand thrilling again and perfect for the new generation but according to Manish this will not be easy, and we wouldn’t have expected it to be.

Manish said:

“It’s very easy to use unorthodox materials, but not to do it with this kind of workmanship.”

The first fashion collection crated under the direction of Manish Arora for PacoRabanne will be revealed in October, at the Paris Fashion Week, which will feature the new fashion collections created for the spring 2012 season.

I’M~FASHIONISTAS by MoniCa Singh

Share |

Kimaya has consistently emerged as the biggest buyer at the Indian Fashion weeks since inception in 2002. Pradeep Hirani, being on the forefront of the fashion fraternity in India, has yet again been specially invited to Sri Lanka for the Colombo Fashion Week.

This CFW promises the glitter and grandeur with its Spring Summer and Resort wear collections and Pradeep is anticipating an exquisite showcase of fresh emerging talent at this event. With the enormous success from Colombo based designer, Ajaiy Vir Singh’s line ‘Stringhopper’, which is presently retailed through Kimaya stores in India, Pradeep believes that the Sri Lankan sensibility of design is very much in sync and refined to the Indian consumer’s taste.

And with over 30 designers participating this season, he is expecting to see a plethora of ingenuity of fashion and believes that there is a potential of picking new designers from CFW to be part of Kimaya’s extensive designer board.

Pradeep is of the belief, that Sri Lanka is currently experiencing immense sense of optimism and growth and is definitely poised to be one of the most influential nations in South Asia. “It’s close proximity to India and its strategic location in the region makes it a perfect hub for fashion in the region,” says Hirani.

Being the only Indian buyer to be invited to international fashion weeks of London, Paris, Milan, Durban, Malaysia, Tokyo, Dubai, Sao paolo (brazil) Argentina, Karachi, Lahore, Hongkong, Colombo,etc., Chairman Pradeep and wife Neha Hirani of Kimaya Fashions Pvt. Ltd. continue to mark a flattering presence at almost all fashion weeks that they have been a part of.

Share |

Day two of the Gitanjali Tour De India Fashion Week 2011 saw Swapnil Shinde’s show a complete traditional line of lavni pants and dresses chiming with ghungroo. Manali redefined bridal wear with originality and the grand finale witnessed Neeta Lulla showcasing her beautiful free flowing lines and giving a 20’s look to the show.

Swapnil Shinde’s theme for the collection revolved around romantic lavni dancers, the collection comprised of lavni pants, jackets, gowns, cocktail dresses all accessorized with blossomed roses and ghungroos.

Manali Jagtap’s bridal line sketched the modern sensibilities of turquoise couture created in an amalgamation of weaves, embroideries, fabrics, colours and varieties that were unparalleled.

Neeta Lulla’s Grand Finale showcased ensembles crafted with a multitude of panels giving it the romantic volume and flow. The beautifully crafted laces and cutwork embroideries were combined with embellishments in pastels hues and free flowing silhouettes.

Share |

Established in 1932, and now managed by Jude Lobo, the third generation of the Lobo family, this place end up on tourist guides as the recommended place to be in Goa. But there is some good news who dream about goan food Souza Lobo is here in Delhi at Greater Kailash minus the beachfront ofcourse.

They serve all kinds of food, but when at Souza Lobo, one mustn’t eat anything but Goan food. There is said to be 5 chefs from Goa in kitchen, one of them having 25yrs of experience working at the Big Daddy. With nothing to compare it to i walked into its Delhi’s counterpart wondering just as well-how would they be able to replicate that fresh, succulent sea food so far inland?

On Gaurav Suri’s recommendation we ordered for Goan masala fried prawns (but the waitor messed up and got us masala fish) and stuffed crab. In the main course we got Mixed Seafood Balchao instead of Chicken Caffreal, Pomfret reicheiad with fiery red masala filling is ground with tody vinegar specially made available from Goa. The rice served was Basmati and not Goan red rice? My recommendation is to stick to the starters and go easy on the main course.

Deserts like Bebinca Cake which again is a goan specialty made of egg and coconut milk preparation, Crepe Souza Lobo are bound to leave your sweet tooth satisfied. The alcohol selection is pretty standard so are the interiors unlike Goa which is very Portuguese.

With a little bit of fine tuning by Goan owner, Souza Lobo/Delhi is a must visit for everyone , but after a few months.

Share |

The McDowell Signature Indian Derby 2011 was announced with a fashion show where Ministry of Fashion showcased their latest spring summer collection. This Delhi based popular fashion merchandise retailer is all set to foray into the high streets of Mumbai, in the month of April this year.

The ramp was set on fire by colourful, graphic and laser print dresses in satin and silk. The cuts were asymmetrical and stylish adding a boho chic feel. There were kaftan dresses, hanky cut tops, halter dresses, corset maxi gowns, dresses with transparent backs, ruffle short dresses, high waist skirts and more. The hemlines were kept equally interesting with subtle borders, pleats, detailing as well as texturing in order to enhance and compliment the semi-formal yet classic look. The men looked sporty in denims and casual shirts and t-shirts with a tugged- in finish. Actress Geeta Basra was the show stopper for the evening. Siddharth Mallya graced the front row as one of the chief guests from the glamour industry. Rajasthani folk music with Kachi horse dance on the stage added a lot of drama while the models sashed down the runway.

Veteran fashion designer Neeta Lulla also put forward five looks across the audio-visual media, that would be ideal for young women wanting to attend the Indian Derby. While speaking about the dos and don’ts she had models to demonstrate each look that she had selected from clothes to accessories and footwear. White, black, grey and red were the colours she claimed would work wonders while bright Indian colours like yellow, orange and pink for instance are a strict ‘no’ ‘no’. The outfits need to be short dresses with great cuts and halters, cross backs and corsets are the all time classic choice. As far as accessories are concerned, sling purses and clutches can look classy while the footwear can add the oodles of style. Also pumps and peep toes in blue, red and black would look dramatic for sure. As a final word, she strongly recommended that a string of pearls would be great for accessories as they can add an international feel to the entire attire.

Share |