Masala Mix

THE SHOWSTOPPERS:For those who have caught not much action on the ramp but have at least viewed the movie ‘Fashion’ once will know exactly what that term means. While we aren’t sure whether the fashion weeks in the metros pack in showstoppers,the Chandigarh Fashion Week got back the trend of having a showstopper for each show. Day one saw model-actor Udita Goswami make it for Mumbai-based designer Riyaaz Ganji and his label ‘Libas’. Then came in Jesse Randhawa,Candice Pinto followed by Miss Indias led by Simran Kaur Mundi and Shriya Kishore. The showstopper sure was in vogue with even city-based designer Babi Grewal bringing in Chandigarh model Palak Verma as her finale lady. Also it would be unfair not to mention the one model who made each of the fashion shows worth a watch. Full marks to Amanpreet Wahi for having walked each show,back-to-back at all times with perfect poise and oomph. No wonder,she was a hit with the shutterbugs!

MAKING A STATEMENT:The designs apart there was an element of style with substance too at the week. Day Two saw Ludhiana-based designer Sonu Gandhi get little girls to walk the ramp highlighting her support to the girl child and the NGO Aashiq-e-Khwaja. The children came dressed in clothes matching the models and it got a rousing ovation from the audience.

MALE MATTERS:In all honesty,given Chandigarh Fashion Week’s toast to all things bridal,we were really surprised to see men’s wear make an appearance on the ramp. Bringing a rather ostentatious lineup of jackets and sherwanis for a groom-to-be was designer Riyaaz Ganji,who had turbaned Sikh models walk in as well. Also presenting her collection under the label ‘Mona Zafar’ was Ludhiana’s Monika Chaudhary. Matching outfits to men in velvet,it was quite an interesting array.

YOUNGISTAN RULES:If Sushmita Sen and her daughter Rene can make more than one appearance on the FDCI weeks,what’s stopping the children closer home. And that was apparent at CFW where designers like Monika and Sonu Gandhi had little boys and girls walk on the ramp in dresses that could well be an adult adaptation. Children,dressed to the hilt,made the most of the week with many of them accompanying fashionista mommies. But in retrospect,let’s not have them in the future!

TWO TO TANGO:Adding an international appeal,as the organisers would like us to believe,were two European models – Natalia and Mary. Extremely tall and leggy the two made for quite a sight dressed in traditional Indian ensembles complete with jewellery to match.

Man of the moment
Even if some of the designers didn’t score full marks on the ramp,off it Chandigarh Fashion Council’s president J S Jatana more than made up for it. Dressed natty in bandgalas and suits matched perfectly with his turban,he was a head-turner in every way. Despite the rush and an over-demand of passes,Jatana was cool as a cucumber. So who is he? “I am a Chandigarh person all through having studied at DAV College,” says the soft-spoken man. And what got him to organise the first Chandigarh Fashion Week,which some say is too early for a rather amateur audience? “I was visiting a friend in Milan and happened to catch an ongoing fashion week. Given Chandigarh’s style quotient,I decided to take things in my own hands,” says Jatana,an engineering graduate who has so far had no fashion world linkages. But he’s aiming higher now. “We are looking to roll out once again in October,” he shares.