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New clothes for De

Always a creator, Shobhaa De moves to designing

PHOTO: SUSHIL K. VERMA

MODEL MIND Shobhaa De wears a self-designed outfit

From cutting words she is now stitching designs. Shobhaa De recently showcased "Serendipity", at Samsaara, Rajouri Gardens, in Delhi. Launched as a fashion model she says, "My love affair with fashion has been consistent." A self-confessed sari lover, she asserts, "Indian textures and textiles need to be revived in a contemporary way." Her collection reflects her sensibility and aesthetic sense. During the brief fashion show, she watches from the sidelines, deliberately swinging to music. Other designers had created the line with her inputs. Hip hugging tops with plunging necklines are coupled with casually draped saris in muted shades. Kurtas and dresses are made whimsical with diaphanous materials. The dresses are girly without being childish. The men's line is created around the festive season and young club wear. However, the shirts in pink stripes, bold pastel prints and with embroidery are too loud for comfort.

Asked if these clothes are intended for the metrosexual, she clarifies, "It is a metro person today." She elaborates, "A metro person is a professional who cannot be obsessed with appearances due to lack of time." The principle behind her personal style and her collection is, "People should be able to get in and out of it in 10 minutes." Playing with a cookie-sized ring, she says, "Clothes have to reflect contemporary needs. A feminist is an activist who lobbies for change," she says, when asked about labels. "I am not that. I have lived my life believing in equality." She claims she fights for the underdog, be it a man or a woman.

Youth today

Mother to six children and author of "Speedpost", De clearly has strong opinions on the youth. Jennifer Lopez, she once wrote, is an icon for today's 20-somethings. "Hot, successful, surrounded by men, a compulsive attention getter and hugely rich," these traits of JLo are aspirations of today's generation, she states.

NANDINI NAIR

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