The town has all the right ingredients of as a fashion destination. For one, influences from the world’s foremost fashion capital, Paris. Next, the number of independent boutiques that dot the town and creative influences from Auroville.
So, when the Kingfisher ULTRA Pondicherry Fashion Week took place last weekend, it was only meant to happen, as designer Jules Idi Amin Vergis put it. The event was the first major fashion show of its kind for the town, and was organised by the Storm Fashion Company.
At the press conference held prior to the event, Gaurav Sharma, founder, Storm Fashion Company, said, “Puducherry has a huge fashion potential. As this is the inaugural edition, we are looking at a compact format. The event will establish its brand and create visibility for fashion here.”
Featuring designers Jattinn Kochhar from New Delhi, Hari Anand from Kochi , Jules Idi Amin Vergis from Chennai and Puducherry’s very own Disa Gudmundsdottir, the fashion week showcased diverse designs from sturdy leather to delicate tulle.
Mr. Anand’s ‘Alchemy’ collection had designs in black, off white, steel grey and gold, with minimal accessories. Using brocade fabric, net and lace, the gowns had clean lines. Actor Sadha in a black and gold ankle-length gown was the showstopper. “I found the crowd energetic and warm. I would say the show is on a par with fashion weeks in Hyderabad, Chennai and other cities,” Ms. Sadha said.
Ms. Gudmundsdottir’s collection had not just leather clothes but accessories as well. Offsetting the trim look of leather was the use of chiffon and chunky gold jewellery. Model Priyanka Shah was the showstopper for this primarily black and white collection.
The second day saw a splash of colour with Ms. Vergis’ collection inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel .
Scarlet, oxblood, crimson and other variations of red dominated the runway.
“The collection shows the transformation into a diva. It is a young, trendy collection, with a dreamy, fantasy element to it,” said Ms. Vergis. Impressed by Puducherry’s fashion sense, Ms. Vergis shared plans to retail out of an outlet here in the future. “The cross cultural influences and different segments of people give Puducherry a unique tag,” she said.
While the fashion week did not feature any home-grown models, Sherin Sam had a tip or two for girls here looking to enter the field. “Be confident of yourself. You can carry off the most difficult of clothes then,” she said.
Day Two also saw designer Jattinn Kochhar present his ‘Bleeding Lust’ collection, which was high on glamour. With cocktail dresses and saree gowns in red, black, glossy grey and purple, the use of lycra was the highlight of the collection.
“I am a very visual person. The collection is inspired by the idea of what happens when lust takes control over everything else,” said Mr. Kochhar. Like the other designers, Mr. Kochhar too liked the town. “I have travelled a lot, around 100 cities maybe. I found the energy here to be the purest and calmest,” he said. On Puducherry’s fashion status he said there was a ‘huge scope’ here, and found an exciting line of accessories made in Auroville.
So what is needed for that extra push into getting on the fashion map? Puducherry needs to work on its ‘sense of entrepreneurship,’ he said.
