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Plan B Starts With C

The Alpha Female — a strong,opinionated,independent woman — is who this designer admits she likes to dress.

The Alpha Female — a strong,opinionated,independent woman — is who this designer admits she likes to dress. Kanika Saluja who grew up in India and then shifted to New York to help her designer brother,Arjun Saluja,launch his line of avant-garde womenswear,is now spreading her wings with her own label Annaika.

In Chandigarh for a two-day trunk show that rolled out at The Girl in the Cafe in Sector 17 on Friday morning,the 35-year-old is showcasing a large collection of ensembles fresh from her Spring-Summer 2012 line-up. Saluja,who made her India debut with Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2012,says she’s “testing waters” in Chandigarh for future retail plans. “I now increasingly find Punjabis pushing the envelope when it comes to dressing up,” remarked Saluja. However,she also added that the ready-to-wear line she’s brought with her has been “toned down a bit” to appeal to the Chandigarh fashionista. “I like androgyny and masculine elements in my outfits,” explained Saluja,the pierced chin and mohawk hairdo reflecting her statement.

With Annaika,she seems to have explored feminity. The fact that she’s keen to tap fashion buyers beyond the metros also shows up in the collection,priced Rs 4,500 onwards. The dresses,maxis,tunics in pastels,whites and nudes with some pops of colour had wearability written all over them. “The essence of Annaika is to keep comfort right in sight when thinking of fashion. I want to make a woman comfortable in her own skin and be experimental in her views,” said the designer. Soft ruffles,gathers and feminine silhouettes complete the collection. “Also,I don’t want to restrict my garments to a particular size or age group,” the designer asserted.

On the other hand,Saluja’s line of accessories — neck pieces,bodices and headgear — show the more bold side to her personality. Terming them as “new- age accessories”,Saluja’s designs showcase her love for architectural and industrial shapes. “I am influenced by metal,machinery,sci-fi,gadgetry,technology,metallic installations and sometimes junkyards,” said Saluja.

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