Warssi Kolkata by AnupamChatterjee’s newly created spring edit is a bunch of happy colours and an array of smart and edgy silhouettes. Keeping traditions in mind and with a heart to experiment in design, Anupam’s idea behind the shoot was to showcase a range of menswear that are statement styles and steps a foot away from the regular cuts,drapes and designs. The styles are shown creating a collage of the different moods and moments of a household celebrating the first festival of spring — Vasant Panchami.
DESIGNER SPEAK
For the Vasant Panchami shoot, while making the menswear,I kept in mind to include a variety of options in terms of silhouette styles. Women always have so many different styles to choose from. The outfits are mostly handloom-based. I have used a lot of linen, pure silk, matka tussore, silk batik, khadi cotton and jute cotton for the collection. The design detailing is focused on hand embroidery,resham threadwork, kasab and buta embroidery.The idea was to showcase different styles in menswear so that people can have an idea of what clothes to try for the festivities. These are simple, easy to wear and very comfortable.I have experimented with cowls, drapes and colours in this lookbook. People do not prefer so many colours. But as a stylist, I think, colour is important for any mood. Saraswati Puja is the beginning of spring. It is my favourite season. Spring is all about love, celebration andfestivities. Keeping that in mind we have used the colours — Anupam Chatterjee
The soiree mood that we created in this frame, using the esraj and sitar, was a riot of colours. (L-R) SouveckSaha sported palazzo trouser and an asymmetric-cutkurta in the quintessential Saraswati Puja yellow hue; Kutubuddin Sheikh wore an asymmetric-cut green kurtawith an embroidered neckline and teamed it up with a red jamdani sari worn like a dhoti; Mohammad Shabbir Beig wore an ochre yellow cotton kurta detailed withred and gold resham embroidery, paired with a maroon tussore dhoti; Rangeet Raheel channelled a soothing look in a white khadi cotton kurta detailed with colourful hand-embroidery and paired with a subtle green dhoti;Nick Rampal sported a traditional colour palette. Hisjalchuri paar traditional dhoti is paired with a tussore kurta highlighted with hand embroidery and paired with a pashmina shawl to complete the look. Imtiaj Haque in a jute silk kurta sprinkled with embroidered buta and highlighted around the neckline, complemented by an off-white dhoti draped in a different style. Priyanshu Thakur sported a smart look in an elaichi green kurta and churidar, paired with an olive green jacket with colourful rose print.
Irrefutably, the best moment of a puja celebration comes at the end with the distribution of sweets! For the ‘mishti’ moment from Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick, a palette with bright colours was chosen to match the mood. Nick in a raw silk maroon churidar and kurta, offset with a white pashmina shawl. Rangeetsported a white kurta andchuridar, complementedwith an off-white Nehrucoat. Kutubuddin tried colorful look in a printed jacket paired with an Aligarh pyjama. Shabbirsported a simple look in along matka tussore jacket.
Games always add to the fun vibe at any festive get-together. If Diwali has card parties, why not chill with friends and family over a game of pool on Saraswati puja? In this frame, Rangeet sported an unconventional Indo-western look in the dhoti trouser detailed with a cowl drape at the bottom, paired with a long oversized boxy shirt and a striped jacket. Imtiaj channelled a vibrant look in a pair of chic jute trousers and a jacket. Souveck’s look in a crop palazzo trouser, black full-sleeve kurta, a long Nehru jacket and a sling bag completes the frame of smart styles.
Any festival remains incomplete without befitting home decor. The traditional mango leaf and marigold garland decor frame portrayed subtle shades in the outfits while highlighting the cuts and drapes. (L-R) Shabbir channelled an edgy Indian ethnic look in a long draped kurta, paired with churidar and Nehru jacket. Nick showed how to dress simple in a Pakistani suit with Patiala pants, a long kurta and a tussore jacket. Priyanshu’s beige kurta and churidar were complemented with a batik-printed long prince coat.
