telegraph india
BIBHU MOHAPATRA
They say models are the best barometer to gauge the buzz of any fashion show. If they are excited, the show is special. Between make-up and rehearsal, t2 spotted models Sania Sheikh and Rachel Maria Bayros. The girls couldn’t stop raving about Orissa origin, NY-based Bibhu Mohapatra. Sania said: “The clothes are so stylish, so comfy and very 21st century. His tailoring is perfect, ideal for every body type.” ‘It’ girl Rachel also gushed. She couldn’t get over how humble Bibhu is. “He is always smiling. His vibe is so calm, sort of wants you to calm down yourself. And on ramp, he knows what he wants.” She told t2 she was wearing orange dhoti pants (picture below) with a semi-structured grey satin top. “My second change is a green sequinned dress.”
What she didn’t tell us was that these were the opening and finale looks of a show that was just so classy, so contemporary and so modern. The models came in with a no-nonsense attitude, poker straight hair, no make-up, fast and to the point. After six seasons on the NY catwalk, Bibhu is probably used to that. The clothes, mostly current SS pieces, were well-tailored and immaculately finished. The Holly brigade wouldn’t be fans if they weren’t.
The looks were as varied as the front row (Jaya Bachchan, Nargis Fakhri, Rohit Bal).
Red carpet pieces, some separates and some simpler dresses. The gowns were a nod to his Halston Heritage days, especially the pleated pieces, dangerously slung at the bum. But these clothes are made for (much) taller girls. The models struggled to find their feet at the turn on the head ramp. The separates were minimal and modern — his trousers were cut fabulously, a rarity on Indian ramps and racks. The colours were soft and summery with mostly pretty pastels like flesh pink, beige and a soothing lavender.
A lesson his Indian colleagues can pick up: editing. The show was crisp to perfection. Not half an extra look that you could even remotely question.
