Aug 01, 2011
Remember Meena Kumari swaying to the tunes of Chalte Chalte in Pakeezah? Mesmerising is the word to describe it.
Well, for most of us the movie remains a timeless classic but for designer Priya Awasthi, the courtesan’s wardrobe exudes enough style and charm to create a Pakeezah-inspired collection. “It is a salute to old-style elegance as it revisits an era when dressing up was an art and a luxurious indulgence which was achieved with a lot of precision,” says Priya.
While the reel saga remains an inspiration, the designer travels way beyond it, to weave a beautiful story on fabrics that is a blend of her sartorial imagination and creative endeavour.
“This range presents an era of grandeur. It is an amalgamation of vibrant colours, gota and revives lehriya, kalamkari and bandhni designs, entailing a varied mix of cottons, chiffons, georgettes, raw silks and brocades,” she says.
Priya’s pursuit for a neo-traditional collection has also made her peek on the other side of the border. “The traditional silhouettes are reworked with Pakistani influences. The surprise element comes in the form of the broad-legged trouser bordered with laces, paired with a long kameez. And there is the time-tested kaftan re-incarnated as a kameez, while a loose cut is preferred in the neighbouring country, I have modified it to give it a more structured shape. The effect is subtle yet dramatic,” reveals the Mumbai-based designer.
The mood of the collection may be traditional but the flavour is predominantly global. As Priya points out, “The colour palette has strong jewel tones like mustard, orange, burnt red, fuchsia, hot pink and yellow that can light up the ramp. The current trend of blending Indian finery with a layered western construct is very much in vogue on the runways. The fusion of Indian couture using international construction with the finest weaves, embroideries, jewels, stones and techniques are the elements that has inspired my new collection.”
Finally, the eyes cannot miss the Priya Awasthi designed churidars, made from high end imported nets. Now that’s quite a scene-stealer.
DC
