Big B is the best-dressed person: Abhi

Abhi and Rahul of label ‘Abhirahul’ talk to Pratik Dogra of Spicezee.com about expressions in designs.

Pratik Dogra

Since launching their label ‘Abhirahul’ back in December 2006, Delhi based designer duo Abhi and Rahul have come a long way. With degrees from NIFT, Delhi to boot, while Abhi boasts of an award of best Designer for exploration in hand flat knits, Rahul has an impressive clientele comprising Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Zyed Khan and Manoj Bajpayee. As the debutant fashion designer duo of Studio 11 get ready to create a flutter at the Delhi Fashion Week, Pratik Dogra of spicezee.com in an exclusive interview with one half of the team, Abhi, deciphers what their collection is all about. Q) Tell us something about your collection. What is the general idea that you are going to present? Abhi: The theme of our collection is ‘The Red Deer Odyssey’. It personifies the optimism amidst devastation and destruction. The first half of our presentation is dark. It’s stark and in accordance to the moods of the time - aftermath of the Second World War. With mankind torn, the severity and muted tones that governed this decade were structured military theme, uniformity portrayed in muted greens and military red piping. The latter part metaphors the period starting from the 1960’s to the 80s that also co-incided with gradual emancipation of women in world societies. In this second part, our collections showcase a more contemporary look. As the focus of ‘the Red Deer Odyssey gradually transcends into the sixties’, our collections establish a more sober palate embellished by spurts of shine and shimmer. Then the collection progresses and climaxes in the 70’s with power dressing and ambition drenched in their designs. Evening wear, dresses and gowns galore in immaculate shade of grey. It’s a journey from emotion to emotion, from era to era. Q) What inspired you towards the theme of ‘The Red Deer Odyssey’? Abhi: We were able to draw parallels between the modern times and the days after the war. The world is grappling with recession. Societies are struggling to rein in the menace of terrorism. People are looking for avenues that invoke fresh hope….maybe of a better future. Just like in the period after the war. Q) What is the USP of your collection, which you think is the ‘stand out’ feature? Abhi: Our designs have refined textures and innovative crafts. Rich draping and inventive craftsmanship completed with impeccable fit and finish is what we would call as our USP. Our fabric is unique. It is a Scottish fabric that we have used. It is a very time consuming process. But we have chosen the absolute best for or cloths. Q) The Indian fashion industry is beginning to make its mark on the international scene as well. How long do you think it would be until we can say that the Indian fashion has truly arrived on the global arena? Abhi: I think it is just a matter of time. We have started creating an impact if you look at the statistics. I mean it’s just a decade and a half since the fashion scene in India kicked off. And in just 15 years, the industry has done pretty well. Names like Manish Arora and Raghavendra Rathore are forces to reckon with. We have regular shows abroad. We are even planning a show in Italy soon. So yeah, it is a matter of time. Q) The perception that a common man carries of the fashion industry is you know, of drugs, scandals etc. Movies like ‘Fashion’ for instance, said to be an insider view, further fuels the curiosity. What is your take on that? Abhi: It is a lop-sided view. A lot of it is false. It’s just a perception. Like the movie you quoted, focused just on the models and their lives. Well the fact is, models aren’t the actually that important. We use models like hangers. They are just props. Models are just one aspect of fashion industry and certainly not the most important one. Q) Okay, so who do you think is the most well dressed public figure in India, Bollywood and non-Bollywood? Abhi: That’s a tough one, you know. There are many. The best-dressed person in Bollywood has to be Mr Amitabh Bachchan. He is always impeccable. Q) And amongst non-Bollywood personalities? Abhi: I think Jyotiraditya Scindia dresses up pretty well. He is quite sauve. Amongst sportspersons I think it would be Zaheer Khan. Q) And who is the worst? Abhi: That’s a tougher one now… I think Govinda used to be the worst dresser, but not now. I think Celina Jaitley is usually over the top in her dressing. Too loud…too gaudy!