The star at the Malini Ramani and Ranna Gill show at LIFW 2003 in Mumbai was not Ramona Garware or Rahul Bose, but Elizabeth Hurley's current squeeze Arun Nair. Refusing to talk to the media, Nair dashed off, frightened by the paparazzi chasing him, seconds after the show was over. "I've come to watch the fashion show and not talk to the Press," he said angrily.
Malini Ramani, queen of ramp drama, of course had peppy music rather than her outfits take the centrestage. She took the ramp by storm with her loud, garish outfits that included gold and silver slip-ons and outlandish body hugging skirts. The drama was there aplenty, what with the models almost doing a short bhangra on the ramp, away from the seriousness of the fashion business. Can you blame it if you overheard someone say: "Oh fashion is a frivolous pastime for bored housewives and in Malini's case, bored socialite"! Mama Bina Ramani, however, was ecstatic and almost went berserk over her daughter's creativity. What's more, her digs at Sindhis during the show were not only crude but also tasteless.
All of which made you wonder: is this a serious trade show aimed at impresssing serious buyers? Buyers who are interested in clean silhouettes and basic cuts must have been appalled seeing Ramani's outfits running riot for sure!
Ranna Gill, on the other hand, abandoned colours this year and went back to the '80s grunge look. Her collection was not only wearable but was also showcased sans histrionics. "The idea is not to shock people, rather to show the beautiful crafts of India contemporised to create a western look," said Sunil Sethi of Alliance and the man behind the Selfridges event in the UK last year.
{{/usCountry}}Ranna Gill, on the other hand, abandoned colours this year and went back to the '80s grunge look. Her collection was not only wearable but was also showcased sans histrionics. "The idea is not to shock people, rather to show the beautiful crafts of India contemporised to create a western look," said Sunil Sethi of Alliance and the man behind the Selfridges event in the UK last year.
{{/usCountry}}The Ranna Gill collection was well grounded. Even though it wasn't prêt and was more of a bridge line, she knew the target buyer she was aiming to dress. "I think it's all right to have drama on the ramp, but then beneath that fluff you must have substance," said Gill.
Gill's leather cutwork skirts, superbly tailored fitted blouses with biker backs, and printed corduroy drainpipe pants made quite an impression. In the end, one felt that it's not the claps that matter how many buyers you sign up that is important. Perhaps Ramani will realise that much in due time.