Cyber Chic

Namrata Joshipura ended WIFW Autumn-Winter 2014 with a laser-lit, futuristic spectacle.

Namrata Joshipura with showstopper Kangna Ranaut and other models.

Whimsical is probably the most appropriate description of Namrata Joshipura and the woman in her head. Two years ago, the Joshipura girl was the risque Batwoman in Gotham City, and this season, she is the cyber chick in love with brain mapping and neural patterns. Titled “elecTRON”, it was this sassy range by Joshipura that brought the curtains down on the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) Autumn-Winter 2014 on Sunday night.

Over the last few pret seasons, grand finale shows have been spectacles with gymnasts, fire dancers or singers and most finale lines have eventually steered away to couture. Brownie points to Joshipura for not falling into that trap. The show did begin with a two-minute-long ‘lockin ‘n’ poppin’ laser dance performance, as a drummer and DJ belted out some bass-heavy, thumping tunes, but after that, Joshipura’s cyber chick did all the walking and talking on a graphic LED-lit ramp.

The range was sassy, sexy and all about the idea of a power woman, minus the, most obvious, power shoulders. Black, of course, is her favourite colour, and what spells out power and bold better than leather? Perforated leather skirts, red carpet gowns with leather strips on one side, short bodycon dresses, jumpsuits, trench coats and short leather skater skirts and over-sized shirts with shimmery metallic texturing walked the runway. A few red floral prints too were a part of the range, as well as a rare gold or olive green creation. Joshipura accessorised the collection with high boots and faux fur headgear. It was a collection that was powerful, yet subtle; impressive, yet not in-your-face, and imminently wearable — and this made it a delightful grand finale.

However, towards the end, a glitch threatened to overshadow the cyber spectacle. Showstopper and Bollywood’s reigning box-office queen, Kangna Ranaut — even though she looked stunning in a strapless black gown with metallic texturing — could barely walk the runway without muttering “I’m sorry”. The hem of the gown kept getting caught in her heels and the struggle was evident as the applause died down. She maneuvered the initial walk elegantly but did not return to take a bow with Joshipura, peeking just to wave, like a queen. But given Joshipura’s otherwise spectacular collection, it’s all forgiven.

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