Fashion often has quirky inspirations, but an adventure reality show inspiring a range of garments might be a first. JD Institute of Fashion Technology's graduating designers Deepika and Aseema bagged the Best Designer Award in the One Year Diploma category for their “Fear Factor” collection.
A full-length red leather jacket with silver studs teamed with a sensuous mid length black cocktail dress made heads turn — it would add instant sex appeal to any wardrobe. What's more, it was perfectly accessorised with metallic belts and chains and coupled with red pump shoes.
Students of the institute presented their graduating collections in competitive categories at a fashion show, themed “YOU”. Bangalore-based models decked up in their fancy ensembles paraded on the makeshift ramp at Hotel Chancellery Pavilion.
Starting over an hour late and amidst a flurry of advertisements, the show kickstarted with a promising collection — “Victorian Glamour” that took hints from the era typically considered one of the most feminine. It featured a range of corsets with shimmery Indian-inspired zardozi embroidery in pastel shades. Sequinned patches of gold and silver meticulously used on the dramatic headgear made out of colourful beads and moulded in geometric shapes set the mood for the show. The flirtatious collection “Gamble your emotions” by the designers Roshni and Payal which gambolled its way into the second position in the same category, was also inspired by a reality TV show. Portraying emotions through a gamut of colours and layered garments, their stylish floral headgear made with currency notes stood out brilliantly. The forte of this collection was its conceptualisation, with great implementation. It was one of the better accessorised lines that included clutches, sequined folders in beige and turquoise, and broad belts.
There was a tie for the Best Designer Award in the B.Sc third year category between Shraddha's for her collection “Maya”, and Shifa for her collection “Imperfect World”. “Shraddha has woven the fabric herself and this will give her an edge over the others who use readymade cloth,” said Neil Royal, divisional marketing head of Gokuldas Images, judge at the event and an ex-student of JD Institute.
Shruti won the audience's and the judge's heart with “Kala”, her collection inspired from Art Deco motifs for plus-sized women.
“Her market research was commendable and her silhouettes included different body types within the plus-size segment. Also, she made use of clever break lines to break visual monotony and give the illusion of a slimmer body,” said Neil. As her smiling, plus-sized models walked the ramp, they looked sizzling and the audience couldn't stop cheering for them. The subversive reversal of the prototypes of fashion took the audience aback and was a refreshing change from androgynous models.
A reasonably good attempt, students could benefit from “more international exposure about cuts, music and general organisation. Also, the choice of fabrics was not in tune with the season. However, since the designs were conceptual and not ready to wear fashion, it is a commendable effort,” concluded Neil after the show. As the show wore off and the party took over, the jubilant students were encircled by their near and dear ones to celebrate their first night of being showstoppers in their own right.
