Models walk the ramp wearing Dipankar Kashyap’s creations in Gangtok

Dec. 21: This winter had its own share of glamour, courtesy Dipankar Kashyap alias DK.

City-based designer Kashyap showcased his collection of exotic apparels at a two-day Northeast inter-state cultural exhibit — aptly named Snow Pulse — at Gangtok in Sikkim recently.

Kashyap displayed his 2004 summer collection — the churidar-kurti, real short kurtis and just-above-the-thighs dresses.

The outfits are in bright single tone colours — electric blue, bright orange, dark purple, parrot green, fuschia. The materials are handloom cottons with contrast-colour diaphanous chiffon dupattas and heavy zardozi work.

“The two accessories, to complete the outfit are long stone and bead earrings and all-leather clogs (a takeoff on the kharam). In mekhela-chadors and saris, it is the tussar-pat weave, fabric-dyed to reflect the brightest possible colours, with the traditional makhi phool and gulab patterns that is the flavour of the season,” he said.

The mekhela is offset by a contrasting chador. “Very filmi, but just right for autumn,” he said. Western casual wear is conspicuous by its absence. However, a few short black chiffon skirts with red Naga weave hip-bands are striking enough to hold attention.

In menswear, it is lungis with calf-length side slits in white paat and gold threadwork that captures place of pride in DK’s collection. The outfit is complete with matching short paat kurta and jacket and, of course, the unisex clogs.

“The main attractions were three exclusive paat shirts in pastel shades — light green, purple and off-white — with heavy zari work,” he said.

The Mishing collection — a range of innovative designs culled from the tribe’s traditional apparel motif — drew much attention of the crowd. “I have been modifying the collection since 2000 and have been a big hit wherever I go,” Kashyap said.

The programme, organised by Snow Pulse, the organisation that gave its name to the show, was a skilful campaign for promoting “cultural tourism” — the latest catch-phrase in the tourism industry.

However, the dominant line among the officials was the show, inaugurated by the Sikkim minister of tourism, K.T. Laysen, provided a platform for cultural exchange between five northeastern states — Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur and hosts Sikkim.

The colourful programme, comprising dance routines, music and fashion show, electrified the auditorium at the Sikkim Government College, Tadong. Twenty-nine top models from the region walked the ramp donning contemporary as well as traditional attires.

Apart from Kashyap, Prava from Manipur, Jyotshna Kurba from Meghalaya and Jyotshna Pariyar from Sikkim showcased their latest creations in traditional material.

The show was choreographed and anchored by Kashyap and Dipendra Pandey, an assistant to designer Rohit Bal. The event management firm, Take-off, sponsored the Assam team that included models Mann, Sangeeta and Pinky.

The famous yak dance and maruni of Sikkim and traditional dances of Meghalaya were the other highlights of the programme.