Perhaps the best display of creativity so far at the Lakme India Fashion Week, JJ Valaya's three collections were inspired by Hergé, creator of the lovable cartoon detective Tintin.
Fusing imagination with realism, Valaya's clothes were structured, wearable and very high on style but the presentation had a contained level of drama in it. The ramp was covered with a long fur carpet and little 'Tintin' impersonators scurried behind the models. The thick French accented voiceover went very well with the theme.
Picking out three stories from the Tintin comic books, the designer started out with 'Prisoners of the Sun' that was almost entirely in linen.
Black, whites, reds and greys were the main colours and there was a lot of emphasis on detailing like beads, handmade buttons, embroidery and pom poms. Practical garments like capris, shirts, bandhgala suits and kurtis in slim silhouettes were thankfully in sensible colours.
The next collection was entitled Bashi-Bazouk and sought inspiration from Tintin's partner Captain Haddock. Mercenaries of the Ottoman Empire where the West meets the East. The colours were a lot less dramatic and emphasis was more on cuts. Asymmetric jackets worn with flared linen pants were rather consistent on the ramp.
The lycra velvet printed tees that the men wore were not particularly easy on the eyes, but were overshadowed by the fantastic prints and lace detailing.
The last collection was called Tibet and was all about the colours of the Orient. Rich colours like warm reds and tantalising turquoise splashed across layers of crushed silk, georgette and lycra velvet. There were several long coats, flared pants and skirts throughout all the three collections.
{{/usCountry}}The last collection was called Tibet and was all about the colours of the Orient. Rich colours like warm reds and tantalising turquoise splashed across layers of crushed silk, georgette and lycra velvet. There were several long coats, flared pants and skirts throughout all the three collections.
{{/usCountry}}Valaya showed absolute brilliance in showcasing an artistic and inspired collection in the most practical manner possible.
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Arati Thapa/HT City
In a clear deviation from his usual style, Valaya showcased his diffusion line Studio Valaya inspired by the cartoon character Tintin.
With Tintin's voyage to Peru -- the Inca motifs play up in Valaya's collection in the form of black and white Maya prints in tops, trousers, bandhgalas. Soon the line has more prints and subdued surface treatments inspired by Bashi Bazouk (captain Haddocks favourite abuse), a breakaway from Valaya's signature motifs.
The fabrics later appear as huge floral prints all over skirts, tops, long and short jackets, in colours like maroon, turquoise, yellow and red. The show began with an audio-visual scripted by author and cartoonist Ravi Shankar Etteth. A show par excellence!
Rate-o-meter
Wearability: 9
Presentation: 8
Front Row: Shabnam Singhal, Selfridges' buyer Sunil Sethi, Ritu Kumar
Buzz factor: 8
Late-o-meter: 25 mins