Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2014

Style always arrives in style

A preview to the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2014

An experience where style is above the ordinary

Where celebrated fashion and music are curated

Where interactive technology transcends boundaries

And style is decoded

 Style always leads the way. After ten glorious years where it has made fashion iconic, Blenders Pride Fashion Tour encompassesstyle as never before. The tour,a mélange ofMusic, Design and Technology, was unveiled at the Preview, at a spectacular evening at the Grand Hyatt, creating a sensorial spectacle that immersed the atmosphere. With every passing year, the tour is broadening the stage in presenting a stunning array of talent, upcoming and established both, from diverse art forms like the entertainment industry, literary worldand other icons.

Some of the most acclaimed, sought-after names in fashion, music, literature and cinemawerepart of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2014preview. The event presented a sneak peek into the creations offashion gurus likeAbraham & Thakore, Gaurav Gupta, Little Shilpa, Namrata Joshipura, Neeta Lulla, Pankaj & Nidhi, Rocky S, Shivan & Narresh, Suneet Varma and Varun Bahl,that cast a spell. India’s most widely read author ChetanBhagat along with actor par excellenceBomanIrani, decoded style in their inimitable ways. Both of these suave artists along with the designers and musicians conversed on the evolution of style and various aspects that are giving an all new definition to ‘style’.

Commenting on the preview, Mr. Raja Banerji, Assistant Vice President,PernodRicard India, said, “This is a very proud moment for all of us at Blenders PrideFashion Tour as we come together to celebrate 10 years of style, substance and excellence.The Tour has a history of showcasing elegance and glamour by facilitating its magnificent platform to a talented ensemble of designers, artists and musicians. This year we have tried to make the the Tour encompass style from various facets of art-forms along with fashion and glamour and have added literature, music, Bollywood in the mix”.

Raja Banerji, Assistant Vice President,
Pernod Ricard India
 at the Preview of
Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2014.

Starting mid-November, Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, ebullientand scintillating, will travel to five cities - Hyderabad,Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. During the fashion shows the creative artists will mesmerize the audiences.  To compliment them, some of the bestmusic bandsin the country includingAnkur Tiwari,Ash & Ashvin, Boom Bay Central,Karsh Kale,MIDIval Pundits and Shaa’ir + Func, will doa especially curated LIVE music performance. Further, adding a touch of intellect to the tour, specialists from various walks of life will unveil different facets of Style - celebrated author Chetan Bhagat, brilliant actor Boman Irani, ace cricketer Wasim Akram along with Irrfan Khan  will be the feature of each fashion shows, giving the audience a peek into their style statements.

Expressing his thoughts during the preview, Indian film and theatre actor, voice artist and photographer, BomanIrani said, “I have always believed that confidence defines Style. From being a photographer to playing different character roles in Bollywood and theatre the one thing that hasn’t changed is my confidence to challenging myself to do something different and doing it well. I am very proud and excited to be associated with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2014 as this is one platform which goes beyond fashion and has indeed revolutionized the definition of style for their audience.”

 

Boman Irani and Chetan Bhagat
at the Preview of
Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2014

On the announcement of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, author, columnist, screenwriter and speaker, ChetanBhagat said, “Style to me is excellence. Being excellent in whatever you do is stylish.It will be great to see various fashion and music enthusiasts portray their style, in their unique way.”

With a diverse list of well-acclaimed designers, musicians, singers and celebrities,this year’s Blenders Pride Fashion Tour is geared up to set the tone for style and opulence for times to come.

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Schedule:

DATE	CITY	DESIGNERS (STYLE WALK)	MUSIC (STYLE BEATS)	SPEAKER (STYLE SPEAK)	BP/BPRC DAY
15th Nov	HYDERABAD	ROCKY S+ NEETA LULLA	TARUN SHAHANI	BOMAN IRANI	BPRC DAY
16th Nov	HYDERABAD	PANKAJ & NIDHI + NAMRATA JOSHIPURA	SHAA'IR + FUNC	-	BP DAY
22nd Nov	GURGAON	ROCKY S + NEETA LULLA	TARUN SHAHANI	BOMAN IRANI	BPRC DAY
23rd Nov	GURGAON	LITTLE SHILPA + GAURAV GUPTA	GRAIN + KARSH KALE	-	BP DAY
29th Nov	MUMBAI	NEETA LULLA + SUNEET VARMA	MIDIVAL PUNDITZ	WASIM AKRAM	BPRC DAY
30th Nov	MUMBAI	LITTLE SHILPA + SHIVAN & NARRESH	ASHVIN MANI SHARMA & ASH ROY	-	BP DAY
6th Dec	BENGALURU	VARUN BAHL + ABRAHAM & THAKORE	MIDIVAL PUNDITZ	CHETAN BHAGAT	BPRC DAY
7th Dec	BENGALURU	LITTLE SHILPA + GAURAV GUPTA	GRAIN + KARSH KALE	-	BP DAY
12th Dec	KOLKATA	VARUN BAHL + ABRAHAM & THAKORE	MIDIVAL PUNDITZ	IRRFAN KHAN	BPRC DAY
13th Dec	KOLKATA	PANKAJ & NIDHI + NAMRATA JOSHIPURA	SHAA'IR + FUNC	-	BP DAY

For further information contact:

Nancy Agnihotri

Contact: 09810768588

E-mail: Nancy.Agnihotri@pernod-ricard.com

DESIGNER COLLECTION NOTES

Abraham &Thakore

AUTUMN WINTER 2014.15

This season Abraham &Thakore looks at sleek uniform dressing for the city. A collection based on the urban shikar, where the streets of a city are the terrain, a smartphone the defense. Shaped by a palette based on the golden hues of wild silk, the collection evokes the many shades of khaki with its references to safari, uniforms and combat.

This contemporary wardrobe is based on iconic separates worn with eclectic ease-  a  trench coat from Tussar silk is thrown over a saree; a military inspired blouson jacket made from Eri (Ahimsa) silk makes an ironic comment and is teamed with a long kurta, a pair of baggy salwars takes on utility features.  

Wild silk provides the canvas for the Autumn Winter 2014 collection. Along with the classic fabrics and textures of tussar, muga and eri silk, we have taken tussar and other wild silk yarns to handloom weavers all over India in the past few months to explore different techniques from different regions. The weavers of Varanasi have created refined modern brocades using tussar yarns for this collection. 

From Chautapal in Andhra Pradesh, traditional ikat weavers have woven innovative fabrics in both double and single ikats using these yarns. The highly skilled Jaamdani weavers of Fulia in Bengal have woven fabrics in tussar using the traditional three shuttle technique to create modern geometrics based on the classic temple motif of woven Indian textiles.

 Wild silk: In India, Muga, Tussar and Eri are fabrics woven from wild silk. Unlike cultivated silks, here the silkworm lives wild in the forest and produces a yarn which creates the characteristic texture and golden sheen. In the case of Eri silk, the silkworm is not killed but allowed to escape the cocoon, creating the enchanting concept of “Ahimsa silk”. The entire collection revolves around the luxury therefore of the handmade and the hand woven, special fabrics in limited quantities that make it exclusive.

Gaurav Gupta:

This is a red- carpet collection. It’s all about “Tall,Tall,Tall,” gowns and sari-gowns. It’s a very confident DNA of a Gaurav Gupta brand. This is the new age sexy, a new Indian Global, it is glitter and it is glamour.

Taking references from the mythology and Greek goddesses, an inspiration that defines Gaurav and conceptualizes this collection. This collection explores newer concepts of gowns and sari- gowns. The quintessential yet innovative draping is ever so flattering on every woman’s body and embroidery drips like melting gold.  The collection incorporates transparent basics for timeless and sophisticated sensuality, a celebration of womanhood.

After dressing International celebrities at Golden Globes, Emmy’s, Grammy’s and Cannes, Gaurav Gupta is showcasing for the first time at the Blenders Pride India Tour 2014.

Little Shilpa:

01. Little Shilpa. Disco Denimals.

Denim, for the most part, is second skin: accessible, casual and fuss-free, just like how easy it is today to visually crawl across timelines from your gadget of choice –be it nostalgia-invoking fashion, techno cadence or simply browsing through night crawlers of the moment.

Little Shilpa takes this ease and insouciance of denim, and puts it through an even more malleable state, harking animal iconography and discotheque imagery. Disco Denimals is an ode to the fun-loving, gig-hopping, iClouding crowd, for whom fashion meets function, motion and individuality. It is also homage to yesteryear bashes, replete with shine and gloss. And it is an invitation to a free-spirited tomorrow. Where to be, is to be free.

It comprises of a series of denim apparel, where the shifts are in rectangular come with metallic cords, to be tweaked according to the wearer’s whim. The epaulets and head-pieces are all pleated with wings in mind, to evoke the buoyancy of both the zeitgeist of the moment and the disco-tinged era. The rainbow-coloured metallic pleats cascade over the denim, providing a sense of high-spirited flight and joyful exuberation.

02. Little Shilpa. Grey Matters.

The English dandy meets the Bombay local as Little Shilpa infused decidedly offbeat influences on the arguably strict norms and practices associated with India's most beloved silhouettes -the sari and the katoricholi.

It is a stylistic reinvention of the gentleman archetype (ties, bow ties , collars , checked shirts) and it's an endeavour to reconstruct / deconstruct the sari and the katoricholi making it easy to wear so that it is not looked upon as just a traditional garment but something one can experiment with .

Additionally, this segment includes white shirts, a wardrobe must-have, which has been teamed up with fun accoutrements (bow ties, badges and epaulets). The simplicity but presence of quirk makes it both wearable and hashtag worthy.

03. Little Shilpa. Black Magic.

In this offshoot from Little Shilpa's Vesper Bloom collection, this series of dramatic dresses are the slinky counterpart to the night crawler looks that formed the line-up of the base inspiration. The body suits are evening-friendly, designed to cover drama, ease and functionality. With the addition of visually-arresting headgear, there's a sense of opulence, to represent the hedonistic revelry associated with night-time shenanigans. For as serious as the colour black is, it is imperative to place it alongside an avenue of irreverent fun.

Namrata Joshipura:

This Spring 15’ collection is an exploration of garments and then their reverse.  As always in any NamrataJoshipura, contemporary and edgy is the prevailing mood.  These are clothes for strong women, who don’t have any hesitation in turning heads when they enter a room.  With a strong sense of personal style, the NamrataJoshipura woman twists convention but is always stunning in her execution.

The juxtaposition of chic street sporty silhouettes with softer and dressier pieces is provocative and exciting.  Sporty chic silhouettes such as body suits, bustiers and shorts are interspersed with softer touches such as culottes, long skirts, gowns and mid-length dresses.  Strong accents of jewel encrusted necks and vibrant prints bring the collection to life.

A diversity of fabrics and materials are combined to create interesting collages – neoprene, silk organza, leather and dori are all thrown into the mix.

Neeta Lulla:

The collection is an enigma in nude and gold flowing voluminous silhouettes teamed with intricate textures of ribbon work in satin and detailed with ornate hand work of a mix of gota and crystal on tuelle and silk.

It encompasses various looks which vary from draped and pre- constructed sarees, gowns, crop tops and bias skirts.

The collection silhouettes are inspired from the fifties and spell sheer elegance and intricacy of detailing and fluidity that is sensuous on wearing.

Indulge in the enigma of sheer elegance.\

Pankaj & Nidhi:

Pankaj&Nidhi present their new collection for Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2014 called "The Glass House by the Sea".

The Glass House is a place of extraordinary visual delight with mirrors and glass panes affecting a myriad of infinite reflections originating from the water and landscape surrounding it.

These are interpreted in three dimensional layered embroideries using specially developed reflective materials.

Colours derived from water like blues to shimmering sand-like gold and coral reef multi-hues; rippling textures create breath-taking designs in signature Pankaj&Nidhi techniques.

A collection that will take you to a wonderland of light, mystery and hope.

Rocky S:

This season Rocky Star presents a fusion of hand crafted textures & glamorous silhouette. This collection showcases an interesting transformation from shackled & frayed textures with draped silhouettes to beautiful serene look which covers the authentic quintessence of lavishness & sex appeal. 

Gowns with stunningly opulent embroideries that compliment the silhouettes and portraits transformation in the look of every model with flowy alluring silhouettes in ivory, black, pewter.

Shivan & Narresh:

Cruise '14 ROTHKO

The blending scapes of Mark Rothko's ombrédcolor fields set aboard a collection mood that fuses the cruise resort dream into a thoughtful sojourn. The cruise collection takes the structural neoprene and uses it as a canvas to witness the mergence of tones with precarious draping & corseting into formal evening wear. Rigid color blocking meets fluid drapes and announces the arrival of a new cruise mood - the Shaped Ease.

The swim lines play with the idea of colors clashing together and transcend them into geometry of gem tones of ruby, cerulean, rose & topaz. The brand's signature maillots, bikinis and trikinis along with swim dresses embrace the planar patterns while the graceful pareos combine it with blacks & whites. The cruise print capers as the alter ego of the monochromes, reflecting a zesty luxe orientation to holiday splendor, making the mind wander into moods undiscovered, enchanting....

Suneet Varma:

This season Suneet Varma takes his inspiration from the wonderful, hand painted Havelis of Shekhawati Rajasthan.As per history Shekhawati was one of the oldest and most beautiful hand painted living cities in the world its rich history of over 350 years of architecture, decoration and sheer magnificence is legendary. 

Story goes that some very wealthy traders from Rajasthan had brought in some painters from Italy and Spain to decorate their sprawling Havelis....the trend soon picked up and Shekhawati became one of the most renowned, living, breathing, hand painted cities in the world.....some of the scenery depicted in the artworks is the coronation of King George the fourth, some depict religious artworks of Lord Krishna...it’s a very interesting mix of Royal European and Traditional Indian artworks and celebrations.

The collection is traditional Indian with a modern twist as an interesting departure for Suneet, this time he uses a lot of shades of red from sindoor to vermillion to gulaal and fuchsia pinks from rose to deep magenta that lie at the very heart of Rajasthan. 

Mirror work embellishment with large borders in thread embroidery.....Stark white and ivory with color on coloraari embroidery and dark navy and cobalt blue with antique and burnt gold and copper thread embellishments.... handmade accessories in beaten metallic gold in exaggerated earrings and hair pins to bring alive the nostalgia of the abundant city of Shekhawati!

The silhouette is long and slender with interesting layering in sheer fabrics. Two piece sarees with embellished corset blouses with delicate antique zardosi, long anarkalikurtas with mirror work and thread embroidered all over jaal. Short tunics with color on color thread and Swarovski crystals with draped dhoti salwars, Angrakha style kalidarkurtas worn with short cropped jackets with draped collars and delicate bead embroidery ...the fabrics are in silk chiffon, Georgette, silk jacquard and jewel toned rich velvets.

Says Suneet, “I have visited Shekhawati several times‐ and each time am awestruck at the beauty and splendor of this renowned city. The very idea and opulence of living in hand painted Havelis is very inspiring for me. The stark and bright colored sprawling Havelis with incredible detailing and architecture against the blue skies of Rajasthan are magical.

Varun Bahl:

This year being my 10th year showing on the ramp, the collection is all about revisiting my experiences and putting them all on one platter. It is replete with nuanced texture and high quality, painstakingly handcrafted embroidery. This collection is the distillate of my decade in fashion.

Traditional designs have always been close to my heart, but contemporary fashion gives me another exciting playground. I enjoy infusing India’s opulent crafts with cutting-edge patternmaking from the West. And so, in this collection, I do not stray from my design staples. The silhouettes are quintessentially western, imbibing my signature colour palettes whilst featuring my beloved floral embroideries. I have used my trademark rose motifs and embroidered flowers and leaves through the collection.

This collection celebrates modern silhouettes—jackets, dresses, trousers, skirts, and shirts—and blends them seamlessly with contemporary Indian embroideries and hand-done techniques. There is a balance between structure and flow in all the creations.

The woman who wears my clothes is a global soul who is sensual yet elegant, understated yet chic. And to live in such diverse cultures with confidence, she must have a wardrobe that respects and represents her global nature and life. These are clothes for the new Indian woman who is ambitious, strong, and knows how to push her boundaries.

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