 |
| Anamika takes a bow |
Off-duty models make a special standing row for themselves. There are more designers in attendance than there are front-row seats. They do the next best thing for the best view — stand on the sidelines. It’s Anamika Khanna’s couture showing and the luxurious Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri makes a fab off-site venue at PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2013.
Delhi dresses up in its most dramatic AKs and turns up on Thursday night to root, hoot, cheer and clap. Anamika is hands-down Miss Congeniality of the fash frat.
The looks that walked the runway, each more ah-mazing than the previous and setting the bar higher for the next. Here’s the A to Z of why Anamika is the reigning queen of couture. (And no, S does NOT stand for Sonam Kapoor!)
A for attitude. Anamika Khanna is not just about clothes. Anamika Khanna the label is an attitude. You either have it or you don’t.
B for bootas. The humble boota like we know it from yesteryear transforms into a different design altogether in her hands. Who needs statement jewellery if you have one (or many) of those on your garment?
C for cape. Now a mainstay of her collections, the cape by Superwoman AK is on every stylista’s lust list. Wear it heavily embroidered, slipped off a shoulder or do an easy-breezy mul version. All you need is skinny black pants.
D for dhoti pants. Inspired by the Maharashtrian sari, these dhoti pants are so languid and comfy, they make you forget you are in couture. They add the drama and sexiness to any top or kurta. Wear with flat chappals or studded booties or anything in between.
E for effortless. The pieces of her puzzle come together so effortlessly, you want to slip in and run out.
F for fashion forward. What she does today, India does tomorrow. One of her most iconic contributions is the lehnga sari, it’s everywhere!
G for game-changer. She innovates like few others. She doesn’t believe in changing the rules. She believes in making them.
H for haute couture. She rules the bespoke bridal circuit.
I for India. It tops her list of inspirations. And then she twists the timeless traditions into contemporary classics.
J for jaali work. It’s exquisite, it’s poetic. The jaali work from her stable can pass off as a print from a distance, that’s how fine it is.
K for kaleidoscopic. ‘A characteristic of any complex pattern of frequently changing shapes and colours.’ This definition actually makes fashion sense in the AK context. Her patterns, her silhouettes, all ever-shifting, so kaleidoscopic.
L for layering. It’s one of her key strengths. Whether it’s draping a trailing jacket over a sari or a cape over a sherwani, she layers instinctively.
M for metallic. Silver, gold and everything in between, metallics in her hands are magically pliable.
N for numero uno. Without a doubt.
O for ombre. That delicate shading that mixes the blacks with the whites is now her strong signature.
P for print. Whether it’s a kalamkari or miniature Rajasthani or micro florals, her prints tell a picture-perfect story.
Q for quiet. An Anamika Khanna woman never screams ‘look at me’. She barely even whispers.
R for rock-chic. In all her desi-ness, there’s something rock-chic about the look. It could be those spiky stilletoes or the chunky accessories, it’s never sugary sweet.
S for shape-shifter. Long and lean. Or asymmetrically cascading, she plays with proportions with masterful ease.
T for texture. It’s one of her key techniques that’s just gone from strength to strength down the years. She knows just how to manipulate textures to her advantage.
U for unassuming. She takes you by surprise. A really pleasant one.
V for victory. Sorry, it’s predictable but just seems to fit so right.
W for white. No one can imagine a collection without a generous dose of white. The colour is synonymous with her.
X for X factor. That unexplainable thing that makes it work. Time after time.
Y for yin-yang. The balance of the androgynous with the ultra-feminine, she treads the path with cautious steps and emerges a winner each time.
Z for zardozi. Antiquated or not, Anamika manages to make zardozi look modern enough even for sundowners.
Kapoors for Satya Paul:
 |
 |
Satya Paul debuted its demi-couture collection on Day 3. X-ray motifs of flowers was the mainstay. Accessorised with sparkling sets by PCJ — diamonds, some temple jewellery — the mostly monotone collection saw an occasional splash of happy yellows and neons. The SP print DNA apart, the silhouette story borrowed heavily from their creative head Masaba Gupta’s summer resort 2013 line. Extra-long gowns, capes and bling (it’s couture week) were the highlights of this collection. And suddenly, at the end of this womenswear show, came two Kapoor men — Arjun and uncle Anil — to lend some Bolly glam to the night.
 |
Freida Pinto fights shy: Varun Bahl sent out ‘Flight’ on Day 3, providing much-needed respite from mindless bling. Wearability was the key factor here. Light lehngas, cocktail saris and the ‘Anarkali dress’ came in various versions. Exciting backs, breezy fabrics and contemporary colours in contrast stood out. As did a very reticent Freida Pinto (far right) who opened the show and launched the new Audi but didn’t come to the head ramp for a full photo op!
 |
Tabu as Draupadi: Anju Modi’s ‘Draupadi’ collection opened PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2013. Reds and kesari lehngas gave way to a softer colour palette. The clothes looked quite confused, a ‘quirky’ print blouse coming in the way of all things Rajasthani. What was nice though was the gorgeous gold accessory story. And then came an un-toned Tabu swathed in red as Draupadi.
Katy Perry on being 28 and the voice of smurfette
Popstar and the voice of the Smurfette in The Smurfs 2 chats with t2 from Cancun, Mexico, about acting, Britney Spears and the Indian connection in her forthcoming album.
Is there a bit of you in Smurfette?
Yeah, I think that we’ve kind of meshed as a character... she’s borrowed a little from me; I’ve borrowed a little from her. We all go through different stages in our lives, all kinds of pains. And right now, I’m doing a lot of work on myself and growing up. I’m 28 and that’s a pretty important age before you get into your 30s. You have to accept that you’re an adult... no more holding on to your youth.
Britney Spears has sung for the film. Is there a possibility that you’d sing in a future Smurfs film... maybe with Neil Patrick Harris?
 |
I want to do that with Neil while we look deeply into each other’s eyes under a blue moon. (Laughs) I hope for it too, you know! The Britney song is great. I like it a lot. I’m a fan of hers. And I do sing in the film. We all sing the Ooh La la song. We’ve been singing it forever.
Will you make more time in between albums and tours to act?
Well, I don’t typically like mornings, so I’ll have to come to terms with that. I don’t like to wake up before 11am and I don’t like to go to bed before 2am, so I’ve to organise my life before I start filming anything serious. Night shooting maybe…. I could be a night shooter! (Laughs) That’s why I love working in animation films so much. I can come in my pyjamas to the studio at 6pm. But if they wanted me to be Rachael (the female lead in Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic; Scott, it is believed, is working on a sequel) in Blade Runner 2, yes, I’ll have a go.
Is it true that you weren’t allowed to watch The Smurfs as a child?
Yes, I wasn’t allowed to watch them. But I also wasn’t allowed to eat Lucky Charms (a brand of cereal) and a lot of other things, or have devilled eggs.... I was only allowed to call them angel eggs. So I’m not a good point of reference, but I turned out okay.
You have been to India a few times. What are your memories?
I have been to India three times, and every time has been a unique experience, whether it was for vacation or for work. And I love the people of India and their joy. I’m aware of Bollywood. I love Bollywood films. I actually have a song that I have written on my new record (Prism, which will be out in October) that... let’s just say... has got a dash of curry in it. (Laughs)
Karishma Upadhyay
Which is your favourite Katy Perry song? Tell t2@abp.in
