Zerifa Wahid and (bottom) Prastuti Parashar: Role models

Designing and modelling are here to stay. From the time I first landed in Assam after my post-graduation in English literature from the University of Pune and decided to be a designer instead of a lecturer, there have been significant changes. My family members had then thought I was “mad to be a tailor” after acquiring higher education.

When I decided to be a fashion designer, there were only a few of us in the field. All of a sudden, there was a big boom and fashion took off at a jet’s pace in the Northeast.

Top models in India and abroad have walked the ramp in garments fashioned by designers from the region, not to forget our very own stars like Amit Paul, Zubeen Garg, Anindita Pal, Ravi Sharma, Manas Robin, Nishita Goswami and Prastuti Parashar.

Today, every other person walking on the street looks like a model. People have acquired a sense of style and dressing.

Even designers have become more professional. Like me, they have started launching three to four collections every year.

Styling and mix-matching has been the mantra of many home designers.

Several mainstream ones have focused on fashion for men.

Loads of designers are self-taught these days. There are housewife designers, too.

It is important to be honest with the profession. Some designers buy garments from the market and claim these are their own creations.

Styling is very important in giving a new look to an old garment. This can be easily done. A little intelligence and sense of colour combination and you can look stylish and trendy.

While styling, remember:

• Aping someone is fine, but do not be a carbon copy.

• Certain hairstyles suit certain people, so cut your hair according to your face and personality.

• Accessories like bags, sandles, shoes and handbags should complement your attire.

• Do not overdo your make-up. During the day, let it be subtle and avoid foundations. You can, however, experiment with make-up for night parties.

• If you are dark, avoid applying foundation. This, more often than not, makes the face look purple.

• It is dangerous to combine too many colours, unless you want to look like Govinda.

• Apply gel only for evening parties — be it the wet or the crush look.

• Perfumes are an important part of your personality. Use a mild one during the day and a strong one for night parties.

• Do not forget to put your best foot forward. Footwear is an important part of dressing up and one can make out the kind of person you are from your shoes.

Sleek footwear attracts more attention. In fact, men notice a woman’s shoes before her face. If you don’t have footwear to complement your dress, safely opt for black or brown.

• The greatest styles come from within. The way you carry yourself is the biggest style. Be your natural self.

Some of the most stylish people of the region, are, I feel:

Actors

• Ravi Sharma

• Toufiqur Rehman

• Biju Phukan

Actresses

• Zerifa Wahid

• Mridula Baruah

• Malaya Goswami

Models

• Luna Lahkar

• Panchali Gupta

• Aryan Baruah

Designers

• Leena Rehman

• Manjula Baruah

• Duncan (Shillong)

The author is a fashion designer