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Ranna Gill
Ranna Gill's love for 'life, abundance and passion' struggled to come across in a collection that fell short on imagination but was fairly practical.
Ranna Gill's love for 'life, abundance and passion' struggled to come across in a collection that fell short on imagination but was fairly practical.
Ranna decided to start her show with some gypsy carnival fun, with the models walking in and swirling around in their skirts. This 'Gypsy' collection seemed to be a celebration of skirts. Ranna used gotta, mirrors and paisley giving her garments a total Ethnic feel. Her silhouettes were sexy with halter-tops, stretch dresses and strappy tops. Softness was added through ribbon ties and chiffon printed sashes, which added an element of girlie fun.
According to Gill, the 'IT' silhouette for the season is the kaftan-poncho and she has worked her entire collection around it. Loose flowing fabrics like georgettes and chiffon have been used aplenty as have soft and feminine fabrics like satin and silk. Worn as separates with contrasting items like jeans or leather pants, the dreamy blouses could have quite a dramatic effect.
A lot of ethnic influence can be seen in a collection that finds the majority of its buyers in the Middle East. Ranna Gill has even delved into Turkish influences to embellish her line. "Indian style is my strength," says Gill who has used the Gujarati ambi motif all over her collection.
The silhouettes are layered flowing gypsy skirts, flamenco skirts, zingara and ruffled tiered petticoat skirts, pleated and crushed printed skirts. The blouses are camisole tops in prints, romantic little vest tops and feminine winged blouses.
Retro short jackets with the worn look, calf-revealing trousers, empire-line blouses embroidered light dresses and epaulet kurtas.
One of the few really inspirational outfits was the black corset and skirt with muted gold appliqué work that model Indrani Dasgupta stole the show with.
Overall a fairly decent line - not much drama around it except for the kickoff of the show with models dancing instead of strutting about.
THE OTHER VIEW: Business class
Meeta Mishra/HT City
Ranna Gill presented the second show of the second day of Lakme India Fashion Week. And it was a sellout -- there was no room to even stand. The westernwear collection by the NIFT graduate who went on to train in New York, included loads of skirts, dresses and pants, teamed with halter tops, poncho tops and bodices. The gypsy inspiration was apparent: in line with the trend forecast.
The skirts were pleated and crushed, tiered and petticoat-style. There were full-circled ones, worn over camisoles, vest tops and winged blouses. Then there were retro short jackets, calflength trousers, and empire-line blouses. Kaftans, another important trend this year, were also on show. Gill added a bit of Bohemia to her show by making her models do a little jig on the ramp. Enchanting hues of white, sunset purple, grape, imperial blue and earthy tones were on display. The clothes were embellished with Kutch and Sindh embroidery, crystals, gota work, mirror work and patchwork.
It was pretty clear that Gill was aiming westward. Till Thursday, she'd been the only designer who'd had a Line Sheet on every chair giving details of the clothes on the ramp. Which basically demonstrated that she meant business.
Rate-o-meter
Wearability: 9
Presentation: 9 (Dramatic, pulsating music)
Front Row: Socialites Ramona Garware and Simar Dugal; jewellery designer Hanut Singh, Kimaya's Pradeep Hirani and buyers.
Buzz factor: 8
Late-o-meter: 20 minutes
