The Bengal government on Saturday sought to take the catwalk from the “classes” to the “masses” but neither was at hand to soak up the experience. The fashion show was a government initiative organised by the West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Commission at Milon Mela

Misses

Fashion designers like Anamika Khanna, Agnimitra Paul, Kiran Uttam Ghosh and Sharbari Dutta figured on the invitee list but not at the event

Hits

Actor Prosenjit and budding designer Tejas Gandhi made it. So did employees of the khadi board and textile directorates, and the mela organisers and their families

Unsung winners

The saris, shirts and skirts in silk, kantha and taant, with batik and embroidery, did live up to expectations

Promise

Bringing designers and artisans on the same platform to popularise the use of khadi and handloom textile

Performance

Surprise treat for workers inspecting the sanitation and water supply at the Milon Mela grounds

Showstopper

Actress Locket Chatterjee (in picture draped in a handwoven white and red-bordered garad sari).

The showstopper’s name was announced as she took the stage — a fashion show faux pas by the emcee

Last word

“What used to be a class item, I’ve made into a mass item,” said Mohd Salim, the CPM leader wearing the hat of the chairman of the West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Commission.

Asked why the masses were missing, Salim said: “With one show, I can’t expect revolution but at least it’s drawn attention”

Text by Mohua Das and Saionee Chakraborty. Picture by Aranya Sen