FIRST DAY FIRST SHOW
Khalid M Ansari (Hindustantimes.com)

The most eagerly awaited event on the Indian fashion firmament lived up to its billing. The Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) 2002 took off to a jam-packed hall of over 200 foreign buyers, doyens of the Indian fashion industry and PTPs (Page Three Personalities) galore. Even on the opening day of the weeklong festivities, eight designers sounded a great victory for the sheer genius and depth of the Indian fashion fraternity.

Anjana Bhargav : Anjana's work presented a perfect synergy between rustic romanticism and artistic sensibilities. Her creative expression attempted to bring together all the elements of the forecasted fashion trend for Summer 2002. Anjana's collection had tiered, layered and gathered skirts in georgettes; chiffon teamed with empire waist blouse, leg o'mutton sleeves with sensuous slits and asymmetric hemlines. A trendy collection that showed a designer's eye for fine detailing and style.

Priyadarshini Rao : Rao's waif-inspired collection kept bringing to mind the Pretty Young Thing on a London high-street. "I would love to bring out the hidden beauty of human body," says the talented designer who chose innocence and femininity as her fashion statements. Her collection included corseted tops, off-shoulder necklines, handkerchief skirts and tiered and crinkled dresses. Targeted at discerning customers and connoisseurs alike, the ensembles were designed to leave an impact on the viewer's mind.

Nandita Basu and Abhishek Gupta : A fashion graduate from NIFT Delhi, Nandita believes in creating a look that is essentially different. According to Basu: "The growing consciousness about beauty and fashion has changed the perception of the modern consumer. While quality is important, he demands value for money too. My clothes are for young and trendy people who value style and class." Reflecting this very philosophy, her signature line for LIFW 2002 included textures with patch work and pleating, slits and lashes put together with leather. Abhishek Gupta's work on the other hand was dominated by folklore prints and motifs. His embroidered loosely fitted ensembles were strikingly juxtaposed with structured quilted jackets. Abhishek's style statement came through in individual pieces that were well-crafted and eminently wearable.

Kiran Uttam Ghosh : Hers was a kaleidoscope of colours that flounced, rolled, flew and danced. Asymmetric silhouettes with handkerchief hem tunics, straight pants with slits and ruffled skirts teamed with angle sleeves brocade and chiffon blouses completed her collection. A recipient of the prestigious Kingfisher Award 2002, Kiran's designs are preferred by fashion aficionados from Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Kolkata. "These ensembles are specially made for the international market where holistic beauty is appreciated," says Kiran who was trained by British designer Jasper Conran.

Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna : The designer-duo of Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna once again presented a spectacular symphony of tans and browns thrown against more unconventional orange, teal, old rose, forest green and black for the coming winter. While certainly a more practical, trendy and skin-friendly collection than their previous attempts, the two did not hesitate to experiment with plunging necklines and tight-fitted curvaceous apparels. In a pointed tribute to manliness and its fading charms, Rohit and Rahul's men's wear included cross stitch and patch work in denim with thin and broad belts embellished with semi-precious stones and suede fringes.

Rocky Singhvi : In what was undoubtedly the piece-de-resistance of the day, Bollywood style guru Rocky Singhvi (Rocky S to the uninitiated) unveiled his 'Primitive' collection. Put together by Lubna Adam, one of India's foremost fashion choreographers, Rocky's breath-taking ensembles drew rave reviews from the likes of Boris Backer, Diya Mirza and Vijay Mallya. The ravishing model trio of Diandra Soares, Aditi Govitrikar and Jesse Randhawa oozed oomph in the soft and raw-edge denim trousers with dominating white shirts. Having alreday dressed stars like Karisma Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Manisha Koirala, Kareena Kapoor, Ravina Tandon and Bipasha Basu among others, Rocky prefers to remain modest about his achievements. "There is no substitute to creativity. As a designer if your clothes don't reflect a certain character, then I think you are wasting your time," he says.