E-Paper
Nandita Basu
Chaos may be the first stage of creativity, but unfortunately Nandita Basu finds it hard to move beyond this first stage in her fall-winter collection 2005.
Chaos may be the first stage of creativity, but unfortunately Nandita Basu finds it hard to move beyond this first stage in her fall-winter collection 2005.
Printed lycra tees, silk brocade jackets, quilted bomber jackets and knit dresses - all that and more came together, with geometric patterns as the predominant theme. "Checks are in style this season and you will find every designer using them," she says. Basu has used a variety of fabrics. "I always use pretty much everything - silks, chiffons, lycra - everything," she says.
Not only did the chaos reflect in the outfits but even Clint Fernandes' makeup was rather OTT (Over The Top) and bit out of place. Wild colours smeared across models' faces with interesting zippers glued on for effect. "It was just something Clint came up with and didn't really have anything to do with the collection as such," Basu said.
Inspired by a trip she took with an artist friend, Basu has called her collection - Shanta Rao Goes To Rajasthan. While the colours certainly were reminiscent of the desert - (muddy browns, olive greens and burnt oranges), strangely the knit strappy dresses and leather skirts seemed like a bolt out of the blue.
The classic pair of jodhpurs has been designers' favourite the world over. From Hermes to Akira - everyone uses one form or the other in his or her collection. And it seems quite apt in a Rajasthan-inspired collection. Sticking to the staple jodhpur, Basu tried to liven it up with studs and buckles.
The flirty chiffon blouses in rose with a waistband that she teamed the jodhpurs with, seemed to be a crowd-favourite.
To give Basu her due, the prêt collection offered something for everyone. But with prices going up to Rs. 10,000, one wonders how many buyers she would find.
THE OTHER VIEW: Dramatically yours
Anuradha Kaul/HT City
Things people do for friends: Young designer Nandita Basu showcased a collection inspired by her halfFrench half-Indian artist friend Shanta Rao.
The two travelled across Rajasthan and this was the genesis of the collection. The garments had an element of ethnicity like the glasswork embellishment on the skirts, which were presented in a westernwear collection. Textured fabrics and animal prints as well as evil eye prints were in sharp focus. The colour palette was pale with shades of grey, green and brown.
Basu showed an collection of croched woollen cocktail dresses, corduroy pants with leather texturing along with pleated and flaired skirts with glass-work and patch work.
The dramatic make-up was appreciated by all. The camouflaged look, with a zip running across the models faces added to the show's appeal.
Basu also accessorised some of her clothes with bags of similar textures.
Rate-O-metre
Wearability: 8
Presentation: 8
Buzz: 7
Late-o-metre: 20 mins
