Creating a signature style

With 57 graduating students from the fashion Institute, IIFT vying with each other to create their own signature look and style, the stage at Chowdiah Memorial Hall was awash with satin, tulle, silk and every other fabric you could think of or dream up.

In fact the students were not stingy or restrained in their use of material  going to town with yards of fabric and over the top accessories that were pleated, gathered and draped in different ways. Minimalist was certainly not the order of the day. They created outfits that could easily fill up the wardrobes of film

extras and enough razzmatazz to dazzle the most ardent song and dance buffs who enjoy watching the colourful bump and grind routines that are so popular in our movies.
Cowboy hats and boots, balloony shiny shorts worn with colourful tights underneath, shimmery satin skirts and gauzy butterfly sleeves, at the end of the day it was difficult to distinguish where imagination left off and designing began.

The whole show was loosely divided into ten groups with each group showcasing 5-6 garments each bringing out a team as well as an individual effort. There was casual and formal wear for both men and women, party dresses, ball  gowns and ethnic outfits. The emphasis was definitely on the dresses and they varied in length and style, fabric and cut. There were summery floral dresses in floating panels, fitted capris, tiered skirts, short flouncy shorts gathered tightly at mid thigh and long trailing evening gowns with rosettes and plenty of gathers and princess cuts.

The men were in tee shirts and jeans worn with scarves, sunglasses and hats or a mix of Zorro meets Huckleberry Finn complete with sweeping cape and cut off pants. One sequence had the ‘red hot chilli pepper’ theme with both male and female models carrying strings of red chillis and wearing clothes embellished with the chilli motif in reds and greens.

The ethnic wear had a distinct middle Eastern influence in the designs with harem pants, flowing kaftans and salwars that were detailed with applique work. The fact that there were 57 graduating students with very different ideas and tastes was borne out at the event quite clearly.