The self-confessed Queen of Flesh has suddenly turned coy. Sophisticated glam replaces sex in Rina Dhaka's fall-winter 05 prêt collection. "I have always been called the nanga designer. But this time, even though the models wanted to go wild, I drew the line," she says.
Somewhere between evening wear and club wear, the collection was almost completely in black with loads of swarovski crystals. According to Dhaka: "Swarovski specially made black crystals for us to create a dramatic black on black effect."
But coming from the sex goddess herself, even sophistication has a peek-a-boo element. Fabrics like chiffon, georgettes and mesh lycra created ample mystery while some of the bare backs were rather titillating. Perhaps the winning garment of the entire line was the translucent churidar. Made of mesh lycra, they were worn with spinoffs of the little black dress and a scarf which brought the swingin' 60's alive in 2005.
In the second part of the show, Dhaka used an orgy of fabrics like satin, wool, net and even leather (albeit in shoes) that wasn't really easy on the eyes - but added to the drama nonetheless.
How wearable was the collection? Very, if you are the "jet-setting, very, very aware of handbags and shoes" customer that Dhaka says she caters to - and not at all - if you are one of the millions who take the bus to work everyday.
{{/usCountry}}How wearable was the collection? Very, if you are the "jet-setting, very, very aware of handbags and shoes" customer that Dhaka says she caters to - and not at all - if you are one of the millions who take the bus to work everyday.
{{/usCountry}}THE OTHER VIEW: Oozing oomph
Arati Thapa/HT City
It was a collection for the woman with a well-defined body. The second show on the first day by Rina Dhaka managed to rope in some of the best fashionistas from Delhi and Mumbai, foreign buyers and her contemporaries. With the focus on black, the colour forecast of this year's winter collection, her outfits were a wow right from the beginning. It began with a purple mesh ruched dress with jagged hand embroidery.
Dhaka also showcased plenty of layered skirts in chiffon, denims pants with black Swarovski crystal on the hips and the back of the waist; chiffon churidars teamed with cutwork kurtas, bead and patchwork.
Of course, her trademark fitted, sheer churidars were also there.
Models sashayed down the ramp in mini skirts and tops that had a touch of velvet, satin and net while the very Kashmiri paisley motif made an appearance in many of her tops, kurtas and skirts layered in chiffons. Also interesting was her toneon-tone black sari with black feather for tassels.
The show, typical of Rina, had plenty of bare backs, low necklines, fitted skirts and sheer tops. Also spotted were some page three usuals: Kamayani Kanwar, Peter Punj, Naveen Ansal, Ramona Garware, Tikka Shatrujit Singh, JJ Valaya, Manish Arora, Vijay Arora, Gauri & Nainika Karan and art gallery owner Amol Vadhera.
Rate-O-metre
Wearability: 9. But you need to have a really fab body to flaunt her creations.
Presentation : 9. Pulsating music.
Front row: Lawyer Raian Karanjawala, Textile Minister SS Vaghela, industrialist Gautam Singhania, buyers from Selfridges, Saks, Harrods.
Buzz factor: 8
Late-O-metre: 20 mins