Bhavna Khullar
The year saw the controversial fashion divide, film stars walking the ramp, and a lot of experimentation with silhouettes. 2008 witnessed keen interest of international buyers who made their presence felt at various fashion events, and provided a throbbing business to the Indian designers. Also, international recognition was bestowed on some Indian designers, adding to the popularity of Indian fashion in the global market. Here’s a look at the major happenings in the world of fashion in 2008.
MISS WORLD 2008
Russia's Ksenya Sukhinova was crowned Miss World 2008 after beating scores of international beauties, including India's Parvathy Omanakuttan, who was declared the first runner up, at the glittering African extravaganza held in Johannesburg.
‘Miss World 2008 is Russia’, announced Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organises the event. The second runner up was Gabriel Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago. More than 100 international beauties participated in this year's Miss World pageant, hosted by South Africa.
Parvathy Omanakuttan
India’s Parvathy Omanakuttan, the confident beauty from Kerala, became the first runner up at the Miss World contest. The gala event saw the victory of the beauty in blue - Miss Russia, Ksenia Sukhinova. Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Gabrielle Walcott took the third spot. Parvathy was crowned Pantaloon Femina Miss India World 2008 on April 06, this year.
PANTALOON FEMINA MISS INDIA 2008
Simran Kaur Mundi & Harshita Saxena
Simran Kaur Mundi, a 22-year-old from Mumbai, who won the Miss India Universe 2008 title, was named the first runner-up. Harshita Saxena, 20, from Goa, was the second runner-up. Femina Miss India 2008 was one of the most anticipated events of the year and the evening saw India’s top 29 beautiful contestants battling it out for the three most prestigious titles - Miss India Universe, Miss India World & Miss India Earth - in a star-studded affair. And Parvathy Omanakuttan was crowned Pantaloon Femina Miss India World 2008.
Anand Jon
Anand Jon Alexander, who worked with A-list celebrities, was convicted in November, of sexually assaulting seven girls and women, some of them aspiring models, whom he lured to Los Angeles with promises of jobs and stays at luxury hotels. The 34-year-old designer faced a mandatory life sentence because the jury found he had committed multiple forceful acts against multiple victims. He had been sentenced to serve 67 years before he was eligible for parole, meaning he would probably spend the rest of his life in prison. In December this year, Anand Jon’s lie detector test indicated his innocence. The documents provided by the polygrapher, JoMac & Associates, showed that the questions asked were regarding the most serious charge of rape. Now, through a spokesperson, Jon is challenging.
Ritu Kumar
The French government honoured veteran designer and revivalist Ritu Kumar with the prestigious Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Letres award (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) in recognition of her contribution to Indian fashion. The award was presented to Kumar by French Ambassador Jerome K Bonnafonte on behalf of Culture and Communication Minister Christine Albanel at the French embassy.
Ritu Beri
Fashion diva Ritu Beri has boutiques in France and Germany, but it took her 18 long years to open her first outlet in India that promises to be a one-stop shop for shopaholic women. There are three different sections in Beri's couture house: contemporary, traditional and wedding wear, where women can find everything starting from extravagant jackets in denim and brocade to bejewelled skirts, from embroidered corsets to simple tunics, from graphic designed kurtas to beautiful bridal wear.
Geetanjali
Geetanjali Nagpal, a former supermodel, who once walked the ramp with actress Sushmita Sen, was found living off the streets in Delhi a few months back. A victim of drug abuse and alcohol addiction, Geetanjali, was spotted dressed in shabby clothes, begging on the streets for scraps for a living. The daughter of a Navy officer, Geetanjali studied in Mount Carmel School in Delhi, and later graduated from Lady Sriram College. Not much has been revealed about the ex-model's personal life, and the circumstances that led to her ruin, however, sources say that as she began to lose modelling assignments, she got into drugs and booze to cope with the stress.
Naomi Campbell
Supermodel Naomi Campbell was arrested and later released on bail on being accused of assaulting a police officer during a dispute over luggage at Heathrow Airport, London. Campbell, 37, left the airport police station just after midnight. London's Metropolitan Police said she was released after further inquiries.
The controversial supermodel was also in news for replacing Kate Moss as the face of France's late legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent's (YSL) prestigious fashion house. Campbell has signed a deal worth USD 400,000 with YSL for featuring in the autumn-winter 2008 campaign.
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum, dressed as an Indian goddess ‘Kaali’, won the best costume at the Halloween costume party at her house. The supermodel took the get-up of a Hindu goddess, complete with six arms carrying swords and shrunken heads.
Carla Bruni
Former supermodel Carla Bruni tied the knot with French President Nicholas Sarkozy. Even her Jean Paul Gautier designed wedding gown hit the French headlines.
Victoria Beckham
Posh stunned all with her ‘desi’ look, as she dressed in a bright red sari posing for ‘Vogue’.
Vogue’s editor-in-chief bags OBE
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of the US edition of fashion bible Vogue, was honoured with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to British journalism and fashion in America, in November this year. The 59-year-old lady is touted as a formidable force in the industry and also a fashion icon in her own right.
Priyanka Chopra
Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra and cricketer Sreesanth walked the ramp for fashion designer Vikram Phadnis at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) on October 24 in Mumbai. Priyanka also played the main character in Madhur Bhandarkar's ‘Fashion’, which was based on the pros and cons of the fashion industry, especially modelling.
Sonam Kapoor
'Saawariya' girl Sonam Kapoor walked the ramp for designer Tarun Tahiliani's Levis collection at the spring-summer edition of the five-day Lakme Fashion Week that began in Mumbai on October 20. About 75 designers from across the country displaying their collections at the event in three categories: established, generation next and emerging.
Deepika Padukone
Model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone walked the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) ramp for designer duo Shantanu-Nikhil. The actress was dressed in a one-shoulder, short salmon coloured dress designed by Shantanu-Nikhil, who showcased their collection at the WIFW as a part of the sponsor show for personal care brand Fiama Di Wills. Deepika attended an event in Delhi to announce the winner of a Fiama Di Wills Beautiful Face 2008 Hunt, organised in collaboration with the Elite Modelling Agency. Delhi-based Prerana Sharma was crowned winner of the event by the actress.
Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty was the showstopper of Tarun Tahiliani’s show at India Couture Week in Mumbai this September. Shilpa has been walking the ramp for Tahiliani for a number of years. The actress was dressed in a red lehenga studded with crystals and loaded with zardozi work.
Madonna
Popstar Madonna got 10 million dollars for being the face of Louis Vuitton. After Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman and Scarlett Johansson, Madge is the latest face of French luxury brand.
MAJOR FASHION EVENTS OF 2008
LAKME FASHION WEEK (March)
The Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) 2008 started with a spectacular show of designer J J Vallaya in Mumbai on March 29. Vallaya's collection titled 'Paisa' (money) drew inspiration from his own currency - 'The Vallaya Royale (VR).
Models sashayed the ramp donning Vallaya's designer wear. The event saw a new trend of kids flaunting collections on the ramp. The youngest star of Bollywood, Darsheel Safari, stole the show as he walked the ramp for designer Neeta Lulla, the second day at LFW. And just one day later, the designer father Abhishek Dutta made his one year old son walk the ramp with a model, to showcase his collection, which unfortunately turned out to be a mishap. The accident occurred when the toddler was made to walk the ramp with a model showcasing Dutta’s collection. Previously, at this year’s Wills India Fashion Week at Delhi, there was a mishap when a Belgian model walked down the ramp in a blue cowl dress and one of its sleeves slipped off her shoulder, during Rajesh Pratap Singh's show.
Bollywood actor Lara Dutta's ex-flame Kelly Dorji enthralled the audience as he walked the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) ramp for designer Nandita Mahtani. Actor Rahul Bose, Ritesh Deshmukh and Suchitra Pillai were seated in the front row, adding more glamour to the show. With her collection titled 'Life's A Journey', Mahtani launched her men's line as well. Kelly, looking debonair in a black suit and a white shirt with red piping and carrying a big black bag, kicked off the show.
LAKME FASHION WEEK (October)
The opening day of the Lakme Fashion Week, in the month of October, witnessed a huge turnout of Bollywood celebrities. Madhur Bhandarkar, along with the cast of his much acclaimed flick ‘Fashion’, turned out for designer Narendra Kumar, with Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Mughda Godse walking the ramp. Jaya Bachchan was spotted in the audience for young designer Nachiket Barve, who based his spring/autumn collection on the theme of flowers. Suneil Shetty, his wife Manna, Aashish Choudhury and Neha Uberoi were present to promote their movie ‘EMI’. Inspired by the rituals and joys associated with Indian weddings, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's collection 'Bridal Sutra' brought much colour and traditional richness to the ramp at the grand finale of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW).
INDIA COUTURE WEEK
Tarun Tahiliani emerged as the biggest crowd puller at India Couture Week. When designer Tarun Tahiliani showcased his works, the audience looking on in awe as he unveiled his signature bridal collection. The main show area (MSA) was layered with images of Khajuraho temples while a series of projectors beamed an eclectic variety of images recreating the glory of Indian culture. The line featured heavy crystallized Swarovski-draped dresses, as well as saris, kurtas, churidars, stoles, evening dresses, jackets, shrugs, heavy embroidered skirts, kaftans and sherwanis.
VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW
Victoria's Secret angels descended upon Miami Beach. Singer Usher kicked off the show in November, which featured 35 supermodels, some wearing angel wings. Models strutted down the runway at the newly renovated Fontainebleau Miami Beach during the show, which coincided with the opulent reopening of the hotel.
German supermodel Heidi Klum walked away with all the attention at the 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.
WILLS INDIA FASHION WEEK
The spring/summer edition of India's premium business-to-business style event Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), which was organised in October this year, has raised its own bar by emphasising on comfort, luxury and safety for participating designers and visitors. Event organiser Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) introduced two new concepts this time - an elevated area in the main lobby and a system of locking the stalls in the exhibition area.
DELHI FASHION WEEK
Luxury and creativity were exhibited full throttle at the inaugural edition of the Delhi Fashion Week (DFW) that was conducted at the Emporio Mall in New Delhi in October this year. The event brought together an eclectic mix of designers ranging from industry top-notches to emerging youngsters. Organized by the newly created Fashion Foundation of India (FFI), the five-day DFW ran parallel to the premier Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) which was staged in October in the capital.
The event saw established designers like Anamika Khanna, Raghavendra Rathore, Rohit Bal and Tarun Tahiliani showcasing their lines in company with upcoming talent like Abhijeet Khanna, Alpana and Neeraj of label Azara, Jason Anshu, Atsu Sekhose, Gaurav Gupta, Lecoanet Hemant, Malini Ramini, Meera Ali, Preeti Chandra, Priyadarshini Rao, Rahul Reddy, Rajvi Mohan, Savio Jon, Sonam Dubal, Varun Sardana, and Vineet Bahl.
INDIA'S FIRST MEN'S FASHION WEEK
At a time of financial crisis when the whole world is engaged in cost cutting, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has decided to go ahead with its plans of organizing the country's first Men's Fashion Week - but with slight changes in the dates. The global meltdown has definitely hit our niche market, but as a fashion body, FDCI has to find different ways of generating business for our designers. The Men's Fashion Week is on but they are making changes in the dates as it was earlier scheduled for February but now they are planning to club it with the India Fashion Week in March.
FASHION DIVIDE
To address both macro and micro issues affecting the couture industry, young and experienced designers from the fashion fraternity announced the formation of a brand new apex body for the Indian Fashion Industry. The entities behind its foundation include senior designers from the Fashion Design Council of India namely, Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Meera & Muzzafar Ali, Malini Ramani, Anamika Khanna, Gaurav Gupta, Raghavendra Rathore, Neeraj & Alpana, Hemant Sagar, Rahul Redddy, Abhijeet Khanna, Priyadarshini Rao, Jason & Anshu, Atsu Sekhose, Varun Sardana and not to forget Sumeet Nair.
As of now, the new fashion body is claiming to focus on certain areas other than just organising fashion events (Fashion Weeks). "The formation of this body has been extremely positive and we are open to collaborate with the FDCI. We are mainly looking at marketing India as a fashion hub and striving to initiate key developmental activities for the industry," shares Sumeet Nair, whose much publicised resignation from the FDCI apparently gave birth to this separate fashion body.
Fashion consultant Sumeet Nair says that the foundation is open to collaboration with FDCI in all aspects of fashion, and clarified that they are not playing a game of one-upmanship. "The designers who are a part of FDCI are also a part of the new body, there is no restriction as we ultimately want the industry to grow", he said. FDCI's former Executive Director Sumeet Nair got some of India's leading designers to join his new body.
Good Byes
YSL
Yves Saint Laurent died of a brain tumour at the age of 71, at his home in Paris this June. He was an Algerian-born French fashion designer, who was considered one of the greatest figures in French fashion. He gave Naomi Campbell her first break in the early 90s. Campbell fought tears as she said how he has 'done so much for people of colour'. British supermodel Campbell paid tribute to the late French fashion designer YSL saying he helped black models make it big in the fashion world.
The first public showing of Saint Laurent's work since his death opened at San Francisco's DeYoung Museum showed the collection of 130 ensembles spans 40 years from the designer's trapeze dresses for Dior to the famous tuxedos, jumpsuits and safari jackets that revolutionized women's fashion and established the Yves Saint Laurent label as the icon of innovative couture. He famously created the pant suit for which most women may thank him, as he went beyond merely draping reels. He had also dressed French first lady Carla Bruni, who along with Sarkozy, attended his funeral that saw the participation of every worthwhile name in the fashion industry.
Bettie Page
Bettie Page, the pin-up model whose seductive photographs in magazines titillated and outraged Americans in the 1950s died in December this year at 75. Page suffered a heart attack and never regained consciousness. Page, with shoulder-length jet-black hair and bangs, combined sweetness and sexuality in a series of now-legendary posters and photographs in the 1950s, including as one of the inaugural centerfolds in Hugh Hefner's new magazine Playboy, which named her "the model of the century." The nice-naughty image -- a sweet and beguiling smile matched with a curvaceous figure and Page's propensity for burlesque films and bondage images -- proved highly combustible on the eve of America's sexual revolution.
Richard Blackwell
Mr Blackwell, the fashion maven, whose annual "worst-dressed" list could be the bane of Hollywood celebrities, died at the age 86, in October this year. Richard Blackwell had been in failing health for some time and in August was reported to be in a coma after a fall at his Los Angeles home.
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First Published: Monday, December 29, 2008, 00:00