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Hide and sleek!
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The leather fashion show in the city focussed on the latest textures, colours and styles. As leading models walked the ramp, it was evident that all it required was a dash of imagination to give hide a new look and feel.
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It was a leather fashion show. And ironically, goatskin and suede couture were showcased under the theme of "Harmony and Nature". With frizzy hair, hourglass figures and here-to-eternity legs, the models breezed in, triggering a fever. Jungle fever to be precise. And it was pure animal magnetism thereafter... what with the pounding music and the specially created thicket on stage.
As hide hogged the limelight, the issue of treatment of animals was sidetracked. For it was time to celebrate creativity with leather, no matter reports of Adidas' plans to boycott leather from India that very same day! Hey now, did some one call leather an organic approach to glamour? Well, well... that's debatable.
Sheetal Mallar, Jesse Randhawa, Shvetha Jaishankar, Noyonika Chatterjee, Nethra Raghuraman, Vidisha Pavate, Tarun Arora, Salim Beig, Zulfi, Inder Sudan, Banty Grewal, Rakesh et al besides this year's Femina Miss India World Shruthi Sharma and International Man Hunt Winner Rajeev Singh... all added that extra touch of glitz to leather's lush hour at Taj Coramandel this past week. And yes, hide did come sleek. From sunny, smile-inducing couture in easy shapes to shoes with stacks of appeal... it was a reflection of unfettered creativity on a challenging medium.
Leather in a perennially parched climate like ours, the Chennaiite might frown. But most of the firms represented were major players in the export market supplying to leading fashion houses in Europe and the United States. In essence, it showcased some of the refined textures, innovative colours and slinky styles.
While RR Leathers beckoned attention with cropped tops, trousers and contoured gowns, Bharatiya International's chic "Urban Vagabond" line was distinct for its bold experimentations with colour. Gaitonde's sleek silhouettes - short dresses, skirts, trousers and strapped tops brought out the fashion potential of leather as much as it did designer Chaitanya Rao's creative flair. A slit here, a meticulous detail there put Orient Express' creations a cut above. And its fire engine reds did mirror the international trend towards "impact dressing." With multi-pocket jackets, layered tops and trench coats, Supreme Overseas proved that flattering shapes don't compromise on comfort. Packing a modern punch into the collection was the bridal creation in butter-soft white leather. Striking a trendy note was Tata International's Spring-Summer line. Tannex's romance with simplicity was evident in the exotic collection of hats, gloves and trenches. That the glitter bug has smitten the leather fraternity too was evident in Pashma's line of embellished trousers. In all, while some creations were strictly utilitarian in its design philosophy, others were replete with subtle detailing.
As for the footwear, the range encompassed styles ranging from funky to formal - for men, women and children. Mirza Tanners, Forward Shoes, KH, Bonaventure, Drish, Florence, Farida, Presidency Kid Leather... the firms had conjured up a wide range in various hues and finishes. As for the bags, the collections from AV Thomas and Creative Limited ranged from roomy structured creations to minimalistic clutches. Bubble gum pink to formal burgundy... the colours were stunning.
The two shows presented by The Trade Dinner and Fashion Show Committee (of the International Leather Fair) in association with Salma International, Schill-Seilacher, Alpe and East Hides were directed by Hemant Trivedi and anchored by Mansi Scott.
Once again, the leather fashion show proved that the style industry needs its flights of fantasy as much as it needed the Spartan sandals and plain pants. While there were a few run-of-the mill creations (the usual structured jackets and mini skirts in a predictable palette), a majority reflected that all it requires was a dash of imagination to give hide an all-new dramatic look and feel. Now, did we hear someone saying beauty is "skin" deep?
T.KRITHIKA REDDY
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