Prabal Gurung SS 2013: Vogue India

This is one of the stories I covered for Vogue India web this past NYFW SS 2013. Here is the link to the story on Vogue.in. 

Lights Camera Action! On an almost quarter of a mile long runway at New York’s Pier 59 Prabal Gurung sent out his Spring Summer collection lead by model Joan Smalls looking stunning in an all white ensemble of cropped trousers, layered long tunic and a tailored jacket. The collection was inspired by Prabal’s Nepali heritage clubbed with sculptor Anish Kapoor’s work. White, grey, silver and red tones at the show clearly had their derivative from Anish Kapoor’s work and the prints on the blue and red shorts were reminiscent of all the reflections, be it the sky or the inversed street views, on Anish’s silvery mirrored sculptures. 

The silhouettes included trousers that looked like tailored chudidars scrunched at the bottom, long sheer kurta-like tunics but done in an extremely universal way, devoid of specific ethnicity, to enable its relevance in the global market and ofcourse tailored dresses and jackets. Although there was only one red carpet worthy gown in white and silver this season, the series did sport some casual tees and dresses better fit for ready-to-wear which was not that prominent in his last 2 collections. The idea of having a sheer flowy tail to his shorts was refreshing and original. Also the white and red color blocked sweatshirt with the sheer side panels was one of those pieces that could appeal to any wardrobe around the globe. 

Linda Farrow and Prabals’ eyewear collaboration is one of the best collaborations in the industry right now in my opinion. Shaded rectangular glasses in red, black and grey were spectacular and are the first thing on my list of things to get from this collection. In a world where sunglass’ shapes become so repetitive, these pairs are a perfect over-the-top normal. 

Left: Actress Kate Bosworth on her way to the show in Prabal Gurung; Right: Taylor Tomasi Hill and Brad Goreski exchanging pleasantries before the show 

Above Images by Prutha Raithatha 

And thanks Prabal for adopting theatrics in your presentation. The finale with all the models walking the runway as a group in front of beams of dramatic lights was a breathtaking sight and a total turn on. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next season. We shall be there with our red tinted LF X PG Sunglasses!

All images by Anna Morgowicz for DSM and Vogue India and some street shots by me. 

Interview with Nicholas Kirkwood

An interview with Nicholas Kirkwood [done for Vogue.in] about his Spring Summer line.

Earlier this year I attended an event hosted by Saks Fifth avenue showcasing Nickolas Kirkwood's Spring summer collection. The designer gave out personally signed postcards of his shoe sketches to the attendees and signed a few shoe soles for people who bought a pair. He is the warmest person I think I met. I asked him a couple of questions about his collection over cupcakes and champagne just for you.  

DSM: Tell us a little bit about your correct collection. 

Nicholas K: The collection embellishes the classic representations of feminity like the bow or the rose by doing a modern perspective on them. And also making sure that it’s not too girly. It’s very important for me to find that balance between not being too girly and too fierce at the same time. 

DSM: There seems to be a sudden increase in Bollywood influences in the fashion industry with the Chanel pre-fall show and Christian Loubutin’s new Bollywood line. Are you planning anything in your future collections that is India influenced? 

NK: I have started experimenting with embroidery and I get it done in India. There are so many amazing techniques out there and you can do a lot with it. 

DSM: And embroidery is cheaper in India? 

NK: Well, not where I get it done. 

DSM: Your Alice in Wonderland shoes never seizes to amaze, even now. Are you going to do more designs like them in the future? 

NK: Yes definitely. I made Alice in Wonderland shoes the first time not for any commercial reason but because I wanted to see what would come out of it and how it can me done and what the turn out is. That’s what makes my job exciting. If I was making only black pumps I wouldn’t be creatively satisfied. Fashion has got to have an element of fantasy. 

DSM: Do u think such fantasy shoes are just difficult to sell?  

NK: No. It’s just difficult to make them practical for people to use. Alice in Wonderland shoes had tiny teacups, horses and keys and watches on it, if you try to walk in them you’ll smash all these elements. It’s not like people have not tried to buy them, it’s just that it’s not practical to sell them. 

Thanks Nicholas for the beautiful sketch postcards and your brilliant shoe designs. 

All images by Prutha Raithatha and Anna Morgowicz