Monisha captures bright moments through her interesting take on the off shoulder tuxedo jacket as well as shimmering bodices of cut out gowns that displayed her love for Angelina Jolie-esque poses (the leg play), making it tres chic on a rather wet July day!
By Asmita Aggarwal
They say a true couturier is always hopelessly in love with his creation that is why when the yoga guru with endless legs Shilpa Shetty was having a hard time negotiating her Banarasi brocade gown, like a true Samurai Monisha Jaising sat down and fixed it to help her complete the catwalk. A challenging situation is a true test of character and in this one, Monisha passed with flying colours.
The Mumbai girl had support from her hometown with the lithe Shweta Bachchan from the first family of Bollywood to dreamboat Ranbirs sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni applauding her ICW 2017 line that came with the frills and flounces of a red carpet look. Monisha is better-known as the inventor of the eponymous kurti in the year 2000, and she also took a giant leap by creating a leather cutwork lehenga and teaming it up with a plain, white shirt for her couture show some moons ago, (a bit like what Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone did when she wore Gap with Vera Wang at the 70th Academy Awards, 1998) and this time too she introduced the dinner jacket with pants, but created an off shoulder version of it in pure, extravagant, blinding gold. Tuxedo style in couture is a true and inventive mix of the traditional East and the always restless West.
There were crop jackets with lehengas, concept lehengas and kaftan sleeve gowns and the saris came with embroidered bodices that shimmered under the bright lights. As gowns waltzed on the runway, Monisha introduced hues like lilac, vintage green, blush pink, mint blue instead of the traditional red. The gold sequinned sheath, a short number that came armed with a faux fur jacket in icy blue set the tone of the show. She introduced 3D flowers on silvery grey gowns with cut out detailing and draped ends. Ruched, corset, strapless and lingerie strap gowns with gossamer overskirts made it iridescent evening.
The mermaid cuts, translucent trails and gowns that came with belts to fasten net duppattas made the emergence of this humble and unloved accessory a much adopted trend, this season. The collection exuded a holographic appeal and there were ample bosoms and toned thighs that played peek-a-boo in origami-inspired or gathered detail numbers.
The waterfall of crystals and drop pearls in cold shoulders gowns with graphic details also included Chikankari empire line offerings. Delicate shoulders and dramatic gown saris, perfectly feminine little bows in the hair, cocktail dresses with nifty rosettes were updated to add that swoon factor. The new India is defined by sharp contrasts between antiquated traditions and uber modernity. Indian brides should experiment with several modern versions of lehengas instead of the ubiquitous ones! Todays bride wants to partake in the celebrations, dance the night away and enjoy her moment to shine, says Monisha.
As metallic satin rubbed shoulders with tulle, Monisha may not have given us what Versace gave songstress Jennifer Lopez on the 42nd Grammy awards in the year 2000—an emerald plunging dress fastened at the waist with well…just a brooch, but she did create drama with high slits, slip dresses and bare backs evoking Hollywood glamour. And yes, you can say, hello beautiful!