New Delhi Fall 2008 Fashion Week - Rohit Bal

Rohit Ball's Fall '08 collection was dramatic and over-the-top, with loud colors and flashy fabrics, quite untraditional in its sexy vibe. I think it's wonderful and daring and such a relief from the unrelenting black doom of the European collections.

The black dress is probably not something you're gonna see every day in India, as it's the kind of shockingly sexy that modest culture doesn't advocate. The other two dresses are frankly fabulous with their iridescent fabrics and appliqued roses. The third dress appears to be secured by a series of wide straps across the back, in a naughty bondage-like fashion.


Rather avant-garde, kinda spacey and wild. I can't help but think of that rock group from the Flintstones, the Way-Outs, when I see that first dress.

New Delhi Fall 2008 Fashion Week - Ranna Gill

Ranna Gill's Fall 08 collection has a more European vibe than other designers showing in New Delhi this week. Gold was an important color, both bright and antiqued, and it was used in a very elegant and classy way. Here are some of my favorite pieces from the show.

The first dress is very casual and cute, for everyday wear, yet quite chic. The wide brocade collar on the coat gives some pizazz to the plain gray dress underneath. And the sleeveless dress reminds me of classically simple shapes my mom wore in the late 60s. Can't you see this with hair piled high and completely enclosed pumps?


I wish I could see the front of this dress, but I love the pattern. And I adore the antique gold flared trousers! Gorge! Not so much the mauve blouse though.

New Delhi Fall 2008 Fashion Week - Charu Parashar

India has been celebrating their Fashion Week this week with some spectacular collections. I love how Indian designers retain the cultural integrity of their dress by using traditional fabrics, techniques, and styles of garment. Charu Parashar's Fall 08 collection was rather a fusion of the traditional with lots of European elements.

These are a bit of both - European brocade fabrics worked with unmistakable Indian flair, particularly in the opulent third look.


And here we see a bit more other cultural influence sneaking in, with the minidress and particularly the gorgeous short brocade coat. But lest we forget where we are, the final piece goes back to traditional roots, albeit in a highly dramatic way.