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Italian sunshine on a rainy night

Marianne de Nazareth

Combined traumas of the rain and police added a touch of tension, to an otherwise brilliant launch of the autumn winter collection of designer Sanchita Ajjampur.

It was an exciting night in more ways than one on Tuesday when Sanchita Ajjampur unveiled her Fall Winter Collection 2005- 2006 at the Athena. The rains decided to open the flood gates from 5 pm onwards causing enormous traffic jams all the way to the Leela. To add spice to the event, the City police interrupted the show even though it was just 8 pm.

There were four collections on show for the night and the entire production as Sanchita explained was very European. The seating had special name tags on the backs of the chairs for the buyers and the media. Elegant files with the list of garments were distributed, and in the green room every outfit was hung up with bags and shoes to match.

The hair too was a decidedly vintage 1940s look with the typical crimped curls framing the face! The makeup too was vintage 1970s with the lower lash dramatised and extended onto the cheek, with shell pink lipstick reminiscent of the ‘walky talky’ dolls. The makeup was done by Squeeze.

Ebony, After 8, Plummage and Ivory were the names of each set of garments and top models, Jackie, Pashmina, Shreya, Anoushka, Ramya, Mike and Rakesh among others sashayed out showing off the line.

“The main idea behind my collection is stark silhouettes and minamilistic bauhaus structures of the 1920s mixed with Venetian opulence. I have used a lot of feathers and jais which are replicas of 18th century stones that shine discreetly. The actual shape of all my garments are sensual and supple, as I love the use of jersey. I have also used some leather and sheer silks in this collection. Each outfit is shown as an individual piece, but buyers can mix and match. All the music too has been selected by me for every sequence. I’ve started with rock, running into after 8 music in French and Italian,” explained Sanchita looking very chic in a black tube top, set off with a glitzy belt and wedge heels, which are making a come back.

The Plummage Collection particularly were really dressy in muted colours, with feathers used to enhance the embroidery. Pashmeena particularly looked stunning in a faux feather embroidered tunic. The metal embellished satchel for men worn against a jersey djalleba and blotched jeans was interesting. Animal prints on the men’s shirts caught the eye, particularly the black and white tapered silk shirt at the end of the sequence.

After 8 collection

The After 8 collection consisted of mint and chocolate colours, mixed with matt gold’s which was shown with Italian and French rap music. The antique finished leather waist coat worn with denim capri’s and a black eagle leather belt shown by Shreya looked stunning. Jackie drew a loud round of applause in a stone embroidered jersey t-shirt with a jersey skirt with metal sequins on the stole.

The final collection called Ivory was a tribute to the silver and white interiors of Athena. Again Jackie was applauded when she came on in a metal embroidered white jersey t-shirt with a jersey skirt. The ’70s hot pants too were seen several times co-ordinated with long jersey shirts with embroidered yokes. The show was choreographed by Rahul Dev Shetty.

Harathi Reddy and Mithun Rebello were seen sitting upfront with Gautam Kalra. Renuka Prince, Prasad Bidapa, Aloma Lobo, Waseem Khan enjoyed the show sipping wine and snacking on prawn hors d’oeuvres.