Tinseltown collectibles

|
  • 0

Tinseltown collectibles

Monday, 12 August 2019 | Ayushi Sharma

Tinseltown collectibles

Designer Lecoanet Hemant’s Autumn-Winter collection, Cinema of Genes, brought back prints, sequined tuxedos, breezy kimonos and tunic dresses, embarking upon a journey to the classic Hollywood era, says Ayushi Sharma

It almost felt like I was walking the red carpet while entering the venue for Lecoanet Hemant’s show, which premiered their Autumn-Winter collection, Cinema of Genes. Imagine a wide, dark garage-like space, which gives an elegant car showroom-like vibe, where every corner features theatrical props to get Instagram-worthy pictures and pays homage to the classic age of Hollywood through some vintage posters — sounds a fun place for a fashion show, isn’t it? After arriving just in time at the cocktail hour, I sipped the red wine, nibbled on some mushroom nuggets and gazed at the black and white tuxedo-like wallpaper in a corner, waiting for the show to begin.

I found my comfortable space near the stairs, which were not too far away from the ‘supposedly’ main arena, where stood a silver Mini Cooper. But as the show began, much to my surprise, the first model, wearing a tunic-dress, walked down the stairs directly towards the audience. It’s only then when I understood that rather than other usual ramp shows, it was an intimate affair. Also, the stairs were not the only medium they climbed down through. They would just emerge from behind your back that it would take a minute for you to realise — where did they suddenly appear from? The Cooper though, acted only as a decor prop as two models sat in the car while other models would hover around in between the groups of people.

There were tunic-dresses with tapered ribbon detailing, tailored suits with wide-legged pants, breezy kimonos with tape accents over slim-fitting pants, crisp shirts layered over short-sleeved dresses and sequined tuxedos. All designed in monochromatic hues — black, pristine white and slate grey — each outfit in the collection was enhanced with simple yet striking accents of burnt orange, pillar box red, amethyst and aubergine. A range of embellished cross-body bags in geometric shapes, trendy fanny-packs and stardom totes playfully complemented the collection.

The evening presented the collection as seen through an inspired, cinematic lens. It took inspiration from the classic Hollywood iconography — the mise en scène of vintage posters, the distinct design of Art Deco and dramatic visuals full of elegance and emotion, and effortlessly blends them to accent modern fashion.

Designer Hemant Sagar said, “It was just a dream. We are surrounded by a society that’s obsessed with films. We just thought it was a great idea to have something which comes from the past and inspires the present. It took 18 months of hard work. Genes Lecoanet Hemant was launched in 2015 with a practical yet pertinent desire to give the Indians a local fashion label with an international appeal. The collection delves deeper into glamour and celluloid as a state of mind, the cause, rather than the effect, of an attitude.”

Use of vintage posters and modern, everyday fashion appears to be quite like an oxymoron. So how has he blended the two opposites? “Well, the idea was to find something extremely contemporary. There is nothing historic about the collection, it’s just vintage. We have tried to be as sustainable as possible. We have used classic materials, which are casual but have a hint of glamour. We have come out with details such as trims on the trousers, accessorise it in terms of the contrast you build in using print on print technique and embroideries in print. The prints are still very much in fashion,” said he. “I have adapted to the modern times. Since there are always new aspects coming in, it’s always a problem for a designer where you just have to keep adapting to it and engage. You also have to propagate the feeling of novelty to make people understand that you have brought something new,” added he.

In an already glamourous gala, actress Radhika Apte walked the not-so-called ramp as a showstopper, wearing a black-sequined long gown with a soft, fluid silhouette, embellished with 3D motifs and symbols, while her hair were tossed in a neat bun. A neck piece, studded with coloured gemstones and Swarovski crystals, was the only jewellery she wore.

Asked Hemant about the inspiration behind Radhika’s outfit? He said swiftly, “There was no inspiration. She is the inspiration itself. She just jumped in the outfit and it fitted perfectly without any alteration.”

Radhika felt that the clothes have a very universal appeal because they are elegant yet very simple. It’s something you could just pick up and wear anytime and that’s the whole idea that you don’t have give a second thought to what you are wearing but you still look very graceful and chic yet manageable. “My real life fashion is black and white. The rest is coloured,” she said.

Among the list of must-haves from Hemant’s collection, there were suave suits in a regal Prince of Wales check and fine-wool pinstripes. For men’s formal wardrobes, there were tunics and lusciously soft, cotton shirts, layered with pants in bright hues and dramatic prints along with voluminous, logo jackets.

Sunday Edition

CAA PASSPORT TO FREEDOM

24 March 2024 | Kumar Chellappan | Agenda

CHENNAI EXPRESS IN GURUGRAM

24 March 2024 | Pawan Soni | Agenda

The Way of Bengal

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

The Pizza Philosopher

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

Astroturf | Lord Shiva calls for all-inclusiveness

24 March 2024 | Bharat Bhushan Padmadeo | Agenda

Interconnected narrative l Forest conservation l Agriculture l Food security

24 March 2024 | BKP Sinha/ Arvind K jha | Agenda