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Cotton couture n' earthy terracotta
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An exhibition of clothes made from hand-woven fabrics and terracotta jewellery showcases fashionable wear
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THE WHOLE world is turning towards natural fibres. Not only do they let the skin breathe, newer processing methods have lent them the flexibility and sheen that used to be the USP of synthetic yarn.
Cotton and linen are the favourites of the current crop of designers. Different weaves are used optimally to lend character to every single piece of clothing.
At the two-day exhibition of couture wear designed by the five-member team of Barometre, which was on at Pralochna Apparel on Avinashi Road, creations in hand-woven cotton and organza stole the show.
Designers Sushama Desai, Ravi Kiran, Krishnamani, Anu Nagappa and the husband-wife duo of Chandra Sekar and Priya Rao had exhibited their couture line while Bindu Mathai had sent in her earthy-looking terracotta jewellery.
Kurtas, short tops, Indo-Westerns and stoles were on offer, but the wearability of the designs was debatable. Agrees Sulochana Malhotra of Pralochna. "Very few people can wear couture. There is a segment that will not wear this; others make it a point to go in for these high-fashion styles."
The designers were expected to grace the show, but did not turn up. "It would have been nice if they had come. Interacting with buyers would have let them have a feel of what people want," she opines.
Western tops sold the most at the exhibition. Each designer was given a separate rack, which made it easier to identify the different styles and the signature designs of the creators.
Ravi Kiran promotes local fabric and stoles that had been converted into tops (Rs. 500) formed part of his collection. The colours merged seamlessly lending the tops ethnic chic.
Anu Nagappa's line comprised tank tops and sleeveless tops made of flexible poly-knit fabric that boasted of different weaves. Kurtas by Sushama and Krishnamani, which started off at Rs. 650, boasted of clean cuts, neat embroidery and patchwork.
Metaphor, the label of Chandra Sekar and Priya Rao, comprised tops and bags made of tussar and silk.
Anu had also sent in a collection of her semi-precious jewellery. Sushama had used traditional fabrics to stunning effect to create sophisticated-looking trousers and tops. The trouser and top made of chikan looked pleasing.
It was hard to look at Bindu Mathai's jewellery as just pieces of terracotta. Colourful, skilled artisans had made them and the clay had been fired well to give the pieces a dignified sheen. The jewellery, sporting the shades of blues and orange, colours never associated with the brick-red terracotta, did find a few buyers, though they were priced a little high.
"This is almost like a real piece of jewellery. The finish is excellent and it sits really well on the wearer," says Sulochana, adding that despite the relatively high prices, labels sell now as people are becoming aware of branded wear and are willing to pay the price for creativity. "Also, unlike mass-produced designs, couture wear definitely has a better finish," she claims.
SUBHA J RAO
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
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