Ace fashion designer Mandira Wirk was recently at Hotel Ashok in the Capital for the city auditions of the Oxybleach Pure Model India's International Face 2010. It is a hunt for models from India, the winners of which will get an international platform. She, along with model Shruti Agarwal, is judging the contest.
Donning a green sleeveless evening dress, the gorgeous looking Mandira set the hearts of those present pacing. Later, talking about the show, she said, “It is a wonderful opportunity for modelling aspirants. The winners will be trained and groomed, and would finally walk the ramps in Milan and Paris.”
Delhi-based Mandira, a product of the London School of Fashion, is a well known name in India and has made her presence felt in Europe and South-east Asia with her designs. Fusion being her mainstay, her designs exude class and wearability reflected in her easy silhouettes, and minimal embroideries in straight and structured cuts. Endorsing it, she said, “My fashion theory is — keep it simple, keep it pure, and stylish. It is not about the design. It is about comfort and fitting.”
Mandira, who has earlier designed outfits for Bollywood actors like Lara Dutta and Deepika Padukone, is now making a foray into designing for Bollywood films with with Hum Tum aur Shabana . She will bedesigning Minissha Lamba's wardrobe for the film. Mandira calls the move a gradual shift.
“I have been associated with Minissha for quite some time now and she wanted me to design her clothes for the movie. The best part is that Minissha has given me a free hand. She is very down to earth and doesn't mind experimenting. She believes in me and my designs,” said Mandira. Talking about Minissha's look in Hum Tum Aur Shabana , Mandira stated, “The look of the character is very girlie and feminine. I have used a lot of pastel colours, cotton, linen and chiffon. I have also played a lot with necklines and sleeves.”
Apart from Minissha, the Delhiite loves to dress up Malaika Arora, Gul Panag, Anoushka, Mandira Bedi, Lara Dutta, and Deepika Padukone. She also finds Saif Ali Khan very stylish. Talking about her favourite fashion designer, she expressed an interest to work with Rajesh Pratap Singh.
Calling the Indian fashion industry fast-paced, dynamic and vibrant, she added, “You need to experiment a lot. Colour combination is a very important aspect which decides the success of a design in India.”
Speaking of her love for Delhi, she said she loves its openness. “I just love Delhi. I also keep going to Mumbai but I find Delhi a more charming place. In Delhi, it's Dilli Haat that I adore the most. It has the culture and traditions of Delhi safe-locked in it”.
