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Simply, surely... sparkling!

Designers Hemant Sagar and Surily Goel launched their eveningwear collections the other day

FOR A LOVABLE EVE A model sporting an elegant Hemant Sagar gown

It has been quite some time since Hemant Sagar opened his shop in India, but the Paris-returned designer has yet to come to terms with the Indian ways. He says here fashion remains a sort of barter system. "Social fatsos invite designers to make their parties happening dos, and in return buy their clothes to keep them interested. Where is the fashion here?" he questions. "200-year-old designs are being sold as novelties," he adds.

However, he is learning to see Indian fashion from a European viewpoint. The result, for instance, is this gown: It has the European simplicity, nothing, absolutely no embellishment around the neckline, just the plain magic of cuts and stitches. "The flair is only to the sides, but to capture the Indian sentiment, the dress has been made to look as if it's in two parts with sequins and mother of pearl providing the interregnum."

This is part of his eveningwear collection that he introduced at his Ensemble store in Mehrauli the other day. Riding on some interesting experiments like georgettes with fur inlays, kurtis taking the form of cardigans, Hemant's collection is simplistically chic. Again he has a quote, "On the Western ramps, poor becomes rich and exotic. Models can walk with nests on their heads. Here it is the other way round. Black becomes imposing."

Over to lilac

An outfit from Surily Goel's cruise line PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA

Surily became the talk of the town when her wardrobe for Preity Zinta in Salaam Namaste almost established pink as the national colour. And Surily still swears by pink. Listen to the latest. "Even dark women can carry pink well, provided they wear the right tone." Next in line is lilac. She has used the colour with flair in her latest eveningwear line "Simply Divine", also on show at Ensemble. Explaining a particular outfit, Surily says, "It is a kind of cruise wear that newlyweds can sport during their honeymoon. The focus is on empire line embellished with my signature wooden beads."

Though the focus is on softer colours like shades of blue, Surily has also introduced a sparkling line in deep reds and purples with gold bugle beads and amethysts, emerald and coral. In fact, the entire collection is interspersed with her trademark gold, silver and leather discs. "This is what puts me apart from the rest of the lot." Surily says skirts are expected to remain in demand this season, "with more flare and lengths dropping below the knee." As for Bollywood, now she is concentrating on Janeman with Akshay Kumar.

ANUJ KUMAR

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