Mixed response to Bollywood designer Phadnis' show

New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) Bollywood fashion designer Vikram Phadnis' Rajasthani sarees wowed the fashionistas but drew sniggers from skeptics on the penultimate day of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week here today.

Disappointment was in store also for those who were looking forward to see actor Shahid Kapur in the show going by the strong rumours about him walking the ramp for the designer also known for his menswear.

To add to that, Phadnis' Spring-Summer 2009 collection was mainly womenswear. His collection was heavily inspired by Rajasthani arts and culture. His innovation lay in bringing together a fusion of local men's attire like flowing shirts with tight collars put over the female body draped in a saree. His Jodhpur churidars for women appear to be the next 'in thing' next summer. Even the tunics were in Rajasthani style traditionally worn by villagemen over the centuries. Another unique feature of the collection was local 'dastkari' on high boots for women.

The colours were liberally used by him and the fabrics were largely linen-silk blends, georgettes and silks. His splendid sarees drew huge acclaim, loud whistles and thunderous claps but also sniggers from skeptics who felt that the designer simply chose sarees and had only worked on their embroidery. A buyer said after the show that the same sarees were easily available in the market and wondered what was so special about them.

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