Stunning Shilpa sets WIFW ramp ablaze

New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) Actor Shilpa Shetty added the much-needed Bollywood glamour to the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week by walking the ramp for Tarun Tahiliani.

The actress, whose star quotient pitch forked after her win in the popoular Big Brother show, set the ramp ablaze last night draped in an enchanting jersey gown from gold dust sprinkled jersey inspired from the elegant sari,the essence of this collection's glamorous subtleness.

The show opened with dancers disguised as monkeys pulling antique trunks.

The journey from 'Kutch to Kenya' as the title suggested, took off with washed linens and cool summer cotton fabrics often softly crushed and crinkled in subdued whites and shades of ecru, sandy beige and pebble tints.

Elongated elegant silhouettes evoked stories from the colonial aristocracy of the early 20th century in Africa and Asia.

Talking about his collection, Tahiliani said, ''keeping with the mood of the nation, even I wanted to celebrate 60 years of Indian Independence and this collection is my way of celebrating it.'' Tunica and tunic dresses were skillfully orated with tonal threadwork, cutwork and lace trims around necklines and hems.

Macrame techniques were nobly revived to create full tunics with fringes worn over shimmer bustier.

A bustier quilted in mini diamond shapes was attached to a transparent long tulle skirt followed by long dresses.

On why Shilpa was the chosen one for the show, the designer remarked, ''she fits my clothes brilliantly and is best Indian ambassador besides one of the most prominent faces abroad today.

''Moreover, celebrity presence takes expectations high and so it is a challenge living up to it'', Tahiliani added.

Shilpa is the first Bollywood face to walk on the ramp so far at the fashion week.

The actress was not available for comment as she had to leave for Toronto to attend a Filmfare show.

On his plans to design for Bollywood, the designer quipped, ''I am a designer, not a stylist and am happy with the status.'' With his Spring-Summer collection, Tahiliani proved once again that he is a true patriot in a global world.

UNI