Fashionably late

It's good to keep pace with trends, but why be late to begin with?

The opening show of Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week at Pragati Maidan had a full house despite it being a Wednesday afternoon in a busy month of festivities. That it was popular designer sisters Gauri and Nainika Karan who were showing perhaps had something to do with it.

The private shuttle service was efficiently in place and the entrance to the show area was an easy-enough reach in the otherwise confusing and larger-than-life Pragati Maidan grounds. I was reassured to see a barrage of security personnel at each of the gates and almost every nook and corner of the hall area (no frisking though).

Guests were guided in smoothly enough, but once in the seating area the ushers seemed unsure of where to seat whom. Name tags were pasted on the seats but there was confusion nevertheless. The seating was fairly comfortable, though the air-conditioner hit a notch too high as did the sound system later during the show. What was to catapult into a frustrating backlog at the week-long event began right there: the show, which was due to begin at 1:00 pm, finally began an hour later.

The show began with a white “bird cage” being thrown open by a model, reportedly to signify the freedom of the summer season. A fairly impressive start, as many would agree later. There was a finesse with which accessories were fielded in to enhance the duo’s line, very reminiscent of the 1930s. One wouldn’t disagree with the fact that the effort was to showcase a free-flowing feminity, from subdued greys, to bright greens, oranges and blues. The line worked pleasantly with the music which clearly highlighted the soft, classical tones of the drapes. A blend of Mozart with electronica kept intact the Victorian yet New Age feel of their pieces.

Though a wait of an hour for a 15-minute show doesn’t justify itself, isn’t that how things work in the fashion fraternity? Fashion shows around the world are known to go hand-in-hand with delays, so one wouldn’t want to particularly blame the event organisers. But one does wonder what it takes to be punctual. The show coordination, outside of time constraints, certainly made up for the misses. A glitch-free beginning with all the right cues is a positive beginning. If only beginning on time could be in fashion too.

Score: 7/10. For a pleasant ambience and a good show

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