Karan, curtains at couture week

He's here. He's there. He's everywhere. And if Karan Johar hadn't introduced his new range of clothing any time soon, we would have seriously suspected his fashion-able intentions

Karan, curtains at couture week

Karan Johar and Varun Bahl

He's here. He's there. He's everywhere. And if Karan Johar hadn't introduced his new range of clothing any time soon, we would have seriously suspected his fashion-able intentions. The greatly speculated finale show by the filmmaker in association with Delhi designer Varun Bahl, began on a starry note, both off and on ramp. While the front row packed in names like actors Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, Jaya Bachchan, Hiroo Johar, Kajol, Yash Birla, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, director-turned-actor Farhan Akhtar with sister Zoya, Yash Chopra and family, Arjun Rampal and Preity Zinta (the two walked in late, and watched the show seated near the photographers' pit), new-kids-on-the-block Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan walked the ramp and began the show to a room reverberating with deafening hoots and whistles.

Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan have a moment during their walk for the Karan Johar-Varun Bahl show

With red tube lights positioned to create a haphazard geometry as the centre piece, and Michael Jackson and George Michael tracks intensifying the excitement, the mood couldn't have been less edgy, at times even kinky.
It was men's wear alright, yet the two designers managed to add a zing, a hint of S&M even, to one-dimensional black silhouettes (a favourite with the duo). Leather remained a resident element, seen not just in shoes and biker jackets, but also in pocket and shoulder details. A white leather collar (treated like a dog collar) found an unusual placement on a Bandgala, inviting smirks in the audience.

Though most of the cheering had to do with Ranbir and Imran's presence on ramp, the variety in design showcased was good enough to stand ground without including names like Dino Morea in sequinned shorts worn with a jacket, or Randeep Hooda who chewed boorishly on gum while walking the ramp.

We won't say about Mrs and Mr Khan. Gauri Khan made her debut ramp appearance in a micro mini as she sauntered to Hot Stuff. SRK was up next, wearing his trademark black. It would have been a regular suit, if not for an interestingly cut waistcoat that extended beyond its form to attach itself to the outer jacket.u00a0u00a0

Monisha Jaising
Monisha Jaising's designs have a knack of indulging in a duologue with women who don't look at clothes as a social necessity, but enjoy taking solace in the idea of being sexy when they feel like. While the term "couture" has been mangled at India Couture Week, almost beyond repair, Monisha decided to stick to the rulebook.

The red carpet finale from Monisha Jaising, inspired by the Three Brides of Dracula
pics/Rane Ashish

Defining couture as made-to-measure, she introduced the young and rich to the unexplored concept of relaxed dressing-up.

Street fashion dived into the tricky quicksand of unisex fashion, with pinstripes and Herringbone usually seen on tailored menswear used as drapes, and the waistcoat taking on the avatar of a choli.

The length of hemlines played hide-and-seek on dresses, cutout at the waist to reveal some skin, a matte gold sequinned vine stretching stealthily across the abdomen.

The mechanic's uniform grew glamorous as she sent model Tamara Melon wearing a jumpsuit in all gold. If you have the body, Monisha suggests you turn her wispy kurtis that naughtily skirt the thigh, into dresses.

Inspired by the Three Brides of Dracula, the final triangle of garments were straight off the red carpet, wrapping up the show on a dark, sinister note, with models carrying a bunch of blood red roses.

Socialities Natasha Poonawala, Prerna Goel, Avanti Birla, Anju Taraporevala and actor Arjun Rampal's wife Mehr Jessia were seen taking mental notes on which of these was going to make it to their walk-in wardrobes.

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