“I have a child who goes to school and yet I am obsessed with my Star Wars T-shirt,” laughs designer Namrata Joshipura. She is quite the sci-fi geek and that reflects in her latest collection elecTRON. It’s inspired by Artificial Intelligence, brain mapping, space lights... So, was she a science student? “No I wasn’t. I love technology and am fascinated by sci-fi movies. Blade Runner is my favourite and I even had a collection by that name,” she says.
It started with Star Trek ...she was drawn to it. The fitted costumes and broad belts captured her attention. “I was young then and had no idea that one day I would be following up on that for my collection,” says the designer.
Having worked with this theme earlier, she’s comfortable experimenting with it. “This doesn't intimidate me. But if I have to do period costume I won’t know what to do,” admits Namrata.
elecTRON is her Autumn Winter 2014 collection that she showcased at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion week at the grand finale.
It was quite a dramatic display with the ramp having LED flooring and lights. “It’s not just the designs, I always think in terms of visual presentation and I get the imagery in my mind.”
Starting today, the collection is on show at Evoluzione in the city. “Since it’s an autumn winter line some of the jackets and clothes are really heavy. So I added tops, tunics and dresses that will suit the Chennai climate. I have used georgette, jersey, sunray pleating in metallic gold and black...”
There’s a lot of textured embellishment that’s gone into it. “My obsession for flowers will never die. I have used floral prints but these are graphic and edgy; circuit-like textures, DNA patterns using sequins and crystals.”
The cyber feel doesn’t necessarily translate into body-hugging futuristic outfits with strange contraptions...definitely nothing like Scarlet Johansson’s suit in The Avenger s. Even though there are body suits, thankfully, they are unlike the unforgiving, unflattering ones worn by Lara Croft. elecTRON also comprises saris and cocktail gowns. The colour palette isn’t restricted to blacks and steel greys; it also features metallic blue, bronze, gold, earthen hues, pastel shades...
“There’s something for everyone — from 20 to 50 years olds,” says the designer, adding, “My clientele in Chennai is very discerning. They know the look they want to project. They don’t care about fads. If the older crowd likes an outfit they ask me ‘tell me how can you make it to suit me?’”
Continuing in the same vein, Namrata says that people have become fashion forward. Today, thanks to social media, even tier 2 and 3 cities know what’s trending.
“If a celeb is wearing something in Paris, people in Coimbatore and Kochi come to know about it. People are ready to experiment. Fashion is being covered by mainstream media,” and these she believes are good signs.
