Varun Bahl's classy, minimalistic Spr-sum 09 Colln receives applause

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) Keeping in mind people's austere approach to buying in economic recession, designer Varun Bahl's minimalistic yet classy Spring-Summer 2009 Collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week here this evening drew an overwhelming response from designers as well as buyers.

The fact that the country's top designers like Ritu Kumar and Manish Arora besides Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna and Manoviraj Khosla made it a point to attend Bahl's show spoke volumes about the designer's high esteem among his peers as well as the stalwarts of the fashion world.

Varun's collection focussed on existentialism - going back to basics in the current scenario of global financial turmoil, albeit basics that were more evolved than they were earlier. It was this very characteristic that endeared everybody to his collection as soon as the show began. Varun's clever, innovative use of sheer fabrics and basic colours like white, cream and light green signified basic clothing but gave the look of sheer class and sophistication. That simple could be so staggering was evident from his mix of gold embroidery on skirts and tops using lace, silk nets and linen.

Roses in gold were bunched up, embroidered, sequined and printed on soft and thinner fabrics. His hints of duck-egg blue amidst the greens, ivories and salmon pinks were simultaneously masterly and grandiose in a subtle way.

His menswear range was truly the piece de resistance. One ensemble had a waistcoat worn over a sheer see-through shirt with linen fabric employed to cover the arms.

Varun's womenswear included skirts with interesting variations in loose lightweight tops where glitter was added to attract the fairer sex using shine and shimmer. Cowls and jagged waistlines, soft curves and sharp angles highlighted incongruousness yet aptness. Very sober and very classy, who says simple can't beelegant! UNI PK LS CS2007