Making waves on the runway

prized moments

The largest fashion event in the City, the Metrolife Fashion Show Season 3, came to a close on Saturday evening at Dayananda Sagar Institutions as eight teams battled it out for the grand prize.

The energy in the air was unbelievable. The crowd started to trickle in early in the afternoon and by the time the show began, the 700-capacity auditorium was packed, some sitting even on the stairs, keen to catch a glimpse of the teams in action. There were more waiting outside to enter. With power-packed sequences, stunning dances and celebrity presence, the grand finale  was truly a winner all the way.

MC Amar, who hosted the show, kept the crowd in splits throughout withhis entertaining shayaris and witty one-liners.

   On the music front, DJ Vidur ensured that the energy levels in the auditorium never dropped. And like the previous two editions of the show, this season was put together by Mithilesh Nyathappa, who ensured that there was never a dull moment.

   The evening began with a performance by the Tarantismo Creative Dance Company. Called Sheesha, the sequence was an ethereal experience that blended belly-dancing with Indian movements. And as Deepthi Shetty, the dance director of the troupe, put it, “The piece is all about reflection and sisterhood. Belly-dancing inspires us to be better dancers.”

This was followed by the creative round, in which the eight finalists wove their collections around the theme ‘On the Move’, one of the segments of Metrolife.

They were given ample room to interpret the theme and the result was an eclectic collection of inspirations. The boys from Acharya Institute of Technology were up first and their collection of neon outfits and quirky props — including a gas cylinder, tyres and even a pug named Sexy — had the crowd hooting with delight. Up next was the team from Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, which based their theme on five forms of art — music, theatre, dance, pottery and photography. The garments were colourful and ethnic at the same time and their innovative props reflected the theme.

The team from MS Ramaiah Medical College were a study in black and white, pairing white suits with chessboard trimmings, black netted shirts and sporting elaborate hair-dos. New Horizon College of Engineering went for a colourful collection. While the girls strutted around in bright palazzo pants and floral-print tops, the boys went for a tapori-style look that was enhanced with their brilliant choreography.

The team from The Oxford College of Science presented a bold collection in red and black, with flared skirts, fishnet stockings and elaborate masks. Reflecting the neon trends that are taking over the ramps, the students of St Joseph’s College (Autonomous) stunned in single-tone dresses, while the boys opted for fluorescent trousers and fitted shirts.

   The girls from Mount Carmel College opted for chic dresses with structured silhouettes, luminescent props and extravagant headgear — the emphasis being on the relationship between women and fashion. The Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE) team presented some wonderful choreography and funky hair-dos. They based their theme on celebrity charm, emphasising the taste for paparazzi. Each team also walked the ramp for the eight brands associated with the Metrolife Fashion Show — John Players, INMARK, Jewelsouk, American Swan, PN Rao, Provogue, Rattrap and Brand Factory.

The dance teams from St Joseph’s College (Autonomous) and Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering presented sequences which had the crowd tapping their feet.

 “We were really pumped up about the performance  — the crowd loved it and it was very encouraging,” said Zo, from ‘Tribal Beats Crew’, the dance team of St Joseph’s College (Autonomous). Trupti, from the DSCE team ‘Atomic Breakdown’, added, “We got all the steps right and our hard work wasn’t wasted. We’ve been practising for weeks!”
The judges for the evening — former ‘Miss England’ Kate Elizabeth Hallam, jewellery designer Pallavi Foley, actor Raghu Mukherjee and designer Paresh Lamba — were impressed by the effort that had gone into the collections.

   “It was absolutely fantastic. They are so talented and presented such beautiful designs,” smiled Kate, while Pallavi added, “Some of the teams were very professional. The use of material is good and there was something very fresh and fearless about their choreography.”

Raghu confessed that he was stunned by the professionalism of the teams. “This is one of the best shows I’ve been to — it’s good to know that colleges are growing to this level,” he said.

   “Young fashionistas could not have found a better platform. I really liked the attitude of the participants and they’ve all come out as winners,” added Paresh. After a lot of hype and speculation, the girls of Mount Carmel College emerged winners. Jeevana from the team, who also won the title of ‘Best Female Model’, said, “We interpreted the theme as something very vibrant and flexible. In fact, all our accessories and props were moving as well. I really wanted the team to win but I didn’t see the ‘Best Model’ award coming — it was a surprise when I heard my name.”

The team from St Joseph’s College (Autonomous) came second for their stunning collection, which was designed by January, one of the models. “We decided to opt for summery colours. We felt that since these never go out of style, they’re perfect for the theme of ‘On the Move’,” said Komal, from the team.

DSCE came in third, amid much cheering from their peers. Najam, the coordinator of the group, said, “It feels good to carry the legacy forward! We went for a paparazzi theme, since they’re always on the move.” Jeffery Ponnappa, from Acharya Institute of Technology, was selected as ‘Best Male Model’ for the second time running and he couldn’t be happier. “It was really great to participate — I feel the show has actually become better compared to last time,” he said.

   The teams from Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology and MS Ramaiah Medical College won consolation prizes.