Spotlight on Fashion 2009

Bhavna Khullar

In times of a global economic slump, 2009 witnessed some glittering fashion extravaganzas, with a hoard of Bollywood bigwigs taking to the ramp. Here’s a look at the major happenings in the world of fashion this year: Beauties 2009 Miss World At a gala event in Johannesberg, South Africa, Gibraltar`s Kaiane Aldorino was crowned Miss World 2009 while Mexico`s Perla Beltr and South Africa`s Tatum Keshwar were declared the first and second runners-up respectively. Miss India Pooja Chopra failed to make it to the final round of 7 competitors but she went on to win the title ‘Beauty with Purpose’. Miss Universe In a surprising turn of events, Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, was crowned Miss Universe 2009 marking the first back-to-back wins for the same country in the history of Miss Universe. India was shocked and disappointed as Miss India Ekta Chowdhry couldn’t make it to even the top 15 at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant. High on Fashion: Delhi & Mumbai In times of a global economic slump, Delhi witnessed two of the most celebrated fashion events - WLIFW (March 18-23) and Delhi Fashion Week (March 19-24), in a head-to-head clash for their autumn/winter seasons. At DFW, a hoard of Bollywood beauties including Deepika Padukone, Shilpa Shetty and Katrina Kaif graced the ramp, while at WLIFW, actress Mugdha Godse and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ kids Rubina Ali Qureshi and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, showed their stuff and the child stars also jiggled on the film’s hit song ‘Jai Ho’. Designer Manish Malhotra served a cocktail of sports and glamour, as his show was tribute to IPL’s KKR. While superstar and team owner SRK was the star attraction of the show, cricketers Aakash Chopra and Murali Kartik also sashayed down the ramp, along with B-town beauties Amrita Rao and Sophie Chaudhary. LFW was one of the most celebrated fashion events of the year completing its 10 years with young guns of tinsel town like Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Minnisha Lamba, Dia Mirza, Genelia Dsouza, Tusshar Kapoor among other superstars. When Ranbir stole the show away with his rugged carefree attitude, Deepika and his mum Neetu Kapoor could be seen rooting for him. If that’s not all, internationally acclaimed supermodel Naomi Campbell too walked the ramp at the extravaganza, as a part of a charity show to help in garnering funds for the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks. The USP of the fashion event was none other than Katrina Kaif, who enchanted all with her cute Barbie doll act at the gala event. Kat’s ‘Barbie All Doll’d Up’ show that rocked the ramp, was a perfect combination of style and glamour, as 50 years of Barbie was marked. ‘Khans at war’ on the ramp! India Couture Week was certainly the most star-studded fashion event of the year that got bucketful of industrywallas walk the ramp for their designer friends. Flashing his popularity and excellent rapport with colleagues, Salman got industry A-listers to walk the ramp for his ‘Being Human’ show. On the other hand, Shah Rukh and his stylish wife Gauri became the sole stars to grace the show for Karan Johar, as the couple looked stunning when they walked the ramp together for the filmmaker. India Men’s Fashion Week – a new beginning! September 11-13 Van Heusen India’s first men’s fashion week, a 3-day event which created a milestone in the world of men’s fashion in India, was held in Delhi with 15 shows in all to showcase everything that’s got to do with men and fashion – apparel, accessories etc. Ace designer Ravi Bajaj made an appearance in a fashion week for probably the first time in his career. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan wooed women with his charming smile as he strode the ramp at the VHIMW finale. Actor Dino Morea was the other showstopper for designer Manoviraj Khosla, the first one being cricketer Anil Kumble. International Fashion Week Paris Fashion Week Designer Jean Paul Gaultier reinvented Madonna’s famous ‘rocket-cone bra’, successfully reclaiming his forte. Katy Perry, her beau Russell Brand, Rihanna and Bruce Willis were among the celebrities, who graced the ramp at the event. Supermodel Naomi Campbell grabbed eyeballs as she flashed her nipples while sashaying down the ramp. Also, renowned Indian designer Manish Arora showcased his colourful collection with bold orange and blue prints as the USP of his collection. London Fashion Week LFW this year was about eye-watering teeny-weeny dresses, sharp-shouldered jackets and skinny leather trousers boasting crocodile panels. The event had Hollywood beauties like Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Emma Watson, along with Indian stars Freida Pinto and Dev Patel as front row guests. Also, Sienna Miller paid tribute to the dress sense of women in the capital, as she launched her collection at the event. Milan Fashion Week From Versace to Missoni to Dolce & Gabbana, Milan Fashion Week had them all showcasing some exclusive designs. British designer, Christopher Kane, made his fashion debut with the relaunch of Versace’s Versus line, which he designed under the creative direction of Donatella Versace. Versace however, as an independently owned label had to take serious measures to fend for itself in the time of recession. Having announced that it was to axe around 350 jobs worldwide, taken on a new CEO, closed down under-performing stores and signed Georgia May Jagger as the new face of the brand, it`s clear that this is one brand that refuses to go down without a fight. New York Fashion Week New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 saw designers gather from around the world to exhibit their exclusive collections. Hollywood singer-actress Lindsay Lohan caused chaos during the event by changing the seating arrangements for her fellow stars. Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show German supermodel Heidi Klum walked the ramp with all the attention at Victoria Secret’s sizzling fashion show. The 35-year-old catwalk queen wore kinky leather straps and golden wristbands, as she posed for top lingerie firm at Miami Beach, Florida. Also joining the show was gorgeous model and Orlando Bloom’s girlfriend Miranda Kerr. Pakistan Fashion Week Pakistan took fashion to the runways hoping to promote a more glamorous side of a nation better-known worldwide for violence and militant extremism. Twice delayed over security concerns, the four-day Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW) showed off the wares of 30 of the country’s top designers along with 30 of its top models. OTHER NEWSMAKERS Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra became one of the judges on the panel at Miss World 2009 pageant in Johannesberg, South Africa. First Lady Michelle Obama dazzled in a fabulous silver-sequined gown designed by India-born US-based designer Naeem Khan at the first state dinner hosted by Barack Obama to honour Indian PM Manmohan Singh. NRI Fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander, 35, was sentenced to 59 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting aspiring models he lured to Los Angeles. Jon showed no reaction as Superior Court Judge David Wesley said Alexander should be incarcerated as long as possible for preying upon young girls and women. Alexander was convicted on 14 counts including forcible rape. He was found not guilty of four felonies, and jurors could not reach a verdict on three counts. A `disgraceful` juror in the rape trial has been fined USD 1,000 and sentenced to 120 hours of community service for trying for contempt of court but was not sent to jail. Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar got into trouble for making his wife Twinkle Khanna unbutton his jeans in public as he walked the ramp for designer Tarun Tahiliani at a famous fashion event. Models Milind Soman, Madhu Sapre were acquitted in a 14-year-old obscenity case. A case of obscenity was filed against the two models in August 1995 by the social service branch of the Mumbai Police after Sapre and Soman posed in the nude, wearing only shoes and a python wrapped around them, for an advertisement campaign. Naomi Campbell grabbed eyeballs when she had a nip-slip at the Paris Fashion Week as she took to the ramp in a see-through bustier. The 47-year-old Demi Moore had more than her fair share of airbrushing for the cover of ‘W’ magazine. Her body was clearly replaced with someone else’s – 26-year-old Polish model Anja Rubik’s for the same. An American perfume manufacturing company launched late pop legend Michael Jackson`s perfume - made using DNA samples from his hair. The company is also selling perfumes made from hair of celebrities like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Napoleon Bonaparte and King Edward IV of England. Saif-Kareena grabbed eyeballs as the much in love couple walked the ramp together hand-in-hand at India Couture Week. ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ stars Freida Pinto & Dev Patel spotted holding hands as they graced the London Fashion Week as front row guests. Freida Pinto was also declared as one of the best dressed celebrities at Paris Fashion Week.