Fashion Blogs

Manpriya Singh

By the time Adarsh Gill relocated to India, she had retailed at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, I Magnin, Henri Bendel and Bonwit Teller. An era, when classic was never going out of style, and sadly even on sale. The flipside of having come a full circle is that there is nothing much to feed the ‘what next’ syndrome. Having worked in the US in the 70s, Paris in the 80s and India in the 90s, she gives insight into long before fashion became what it is today.

“In the mid seventies when oil prices shot up and Middle-East became an important market, all the couture in France was catering to them, tailored according to local preferences and fashion tastes, which was a very smart thing to do because till date they continue to be the loyal customers,” Apart from her exhaustive collection, Adarsh Gill brings along knowledge bank of fashion and the industry that has evolved.

“My collection strictly keeps in mind today’s woman. Her psychology and lifestyle, which she has to pack in the entire day and yet wants to look feminine,” she speaks of the new online venture Defiance—by Adarsh Gill and her collection comprising short dresses, jackets, miniskirts, jumpsuits, blouses and evening dresses in geometric patterns.

A couple of gowns with faux but fine fur stand apart and there is a lot that can be mixed and matched. She adds, “If you do not want to wear the jacket with a short dress, it can easily and elegantly be teamed up with pants, depending on the occasion. In a way every woman is a designer in herself.”

As for the exhibition, the show brings in as many 150 pieces, comprising prêt, couture and wedding wear.

Rewarding journey

The business of creativity can be as unpredictable as rewarding. “Decades ago, when I used to work for Armani, I brought them in to take a look at India as a potential market. The officials were absolutely negative of traffic and infrastructure. Fifteen years or so down the line, they are all here and yet it was unthinkable back then.” On the industry, she shares, “The major problem is quality, which we still don’t focus on as much as we should...otherwise craftsmanship in India is beautiful and sky is the limit.”

Creative plagiarism

Whoever said imitation is the best form of flattery, probably hadn’t heard of replicas. The industry’s unsettled malady. With everything available online and replicas for the asking, is it ever a discouragement.

She laughs, “When Karl Lagerfeld was revamping Chanel and their signature quilted bags had been redone, suddenly you could see all the secretaries carrying that bag. Chanel obviously wasn’t producing that much of that product at a price which would make it ubiquitous. It’s a similar story with Louis Vuitton bags. You can’t even tell. So creative plagiarism is a part of life.”

Even if that extends to the much known but rarely reported politics of fashion weeks. Having last showcased India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, she is all set to showcase next at FDCI’s spring summer event. “I don’t do fashion shows every year because I don’t feel the need to and also there is too much politics.”Read more at:blue prom dresses