Loyalists attend Sabyasachi’s couture show

The collection,much lauded for its “museum-like quality”,saw models trussed in saris,suits and high-on-embroidery blouses in muted red,pale green and rustic orange,walking past antique trunks and vintage photographs that was part of the backdrop.

To add to the retro feel,men walking the ramp sported broad-rimmed spectacles and moustaches. “The show was spectacular and he is undoubtedly the best designer,” gushed Chopra,who flew in specially for the show. Mukerji preferred Sabyasachi as he made “Indian clothes more receptive”. At Sabya’s store,the nine-yard wonder cost Rs 1.5 lakh. “Sari is the most potent form of couture,” Sabyasachi asserted.

Meanwhile,Bollywood designer-in-residence,Manish Malhotra,wants us to believe that it was a magic red carpet ride at his first day show — sans any showstopper.

“The trend of showstopper has been done to death. In fact,I am the one who started it. Tonight,I am the showstopper,” Malhotra said through the frenzy of cameras after parading his opulent collection that saw 21 dresses.

Malhotra’s palette was jewel-inspired,with ruby,amethyst,jade and lapis,shot with gold,bronze and copper. The lehengas were fiery red,hand-embroidered with hundreds of thousands of beads and crystals,accompanied by embroidered jackets cut below the waist and Malhotra’s trademark saris.