LFW '09: The Westside walk on Day 4

The Westside Designer Prêt show was super successful. People loved the simple and wearable fashion. Malaika Arora Khan was in the front row cheering her husband Arbaaz who was showstopper for Wendell Rodericks.

The look for the entire show was a sleek short pony and bright red lips. Narendra Kumar Ahmed’s show was first and the theme was “The Librarian” – the sexed up version of course. We saw leggy models strut their stuff in shirts, blouses, capris, frilly blouses, skirts, skinny jeans, knee length dresses and fitted pants. Checks and stripes were the dominant prints. The colours were muted. The corporate wear collection can be worn to office and you don’t need to change when you step out at night. Very simple and clean style!

About his collection, Nari said, “I am happy with this association with Westside because I think fashion isn’t fashion until people on the streets wear it. The theme was “The Librarian” where we saw beautiful and sexy librarians. Office wear need not be boring; it can be fun and exciting and I liked giving an identity to my clothes.”

Designer Manish Gupta’s designs came up next. Ivory was the primary colour of the collection which comprised mainly of knee length dresses and tunics. They were layered and subtly shimmering. Drapes, tucks, dori embroidery, cotton ribbons and pleats formed the embellishments. Very elegant, chic and perfect for the blistering summer.

Designer Manish Gupta said, “This association will help us take fashion to the masses. The dresses and tunics are very clean and classic and can be paired with leggings.”

Finally, Wendell Rodericks’ minimalist designs closed the show. Arbaaz Khan was his show stopper but we weren’t sure that this was the best choice since Arbaaz was even sporting a belly!

For his “Mondrian Minimalist” collection inspired by Piet Mondrian’s geometric abstractions, Wendell used only black and white for the dresses while the geometric print accessories like shoes and bags and leggings had blue, red and yellow. The pants, dresses, tunics were absolutely simple and elegant and the way he made geometry, black and white interesting was fabulous. There were all black outfits with a thin white border and vice versa. The leggings and shoes provided the colour in the ensembles. Some were all black and beautiful with a shimmering black and silver border adding a touch of glam.

Arbaaz Khan said, “It was wonderful walking for my friend who is a wonderful designer. I thought I would fall off the ramp and on Malaika, which is alright. She told me to smile, be confident and flaunt some attitude.”

Wendell said, “I am absolutely delighted to be in the company of Manish and Nari and taking fashion to the public. The “Mondrian Minimalist” collection is eco friendly, we have used natural dyes and Bamboo fabrics. I am very happy with the collection.”

The collection hits Westside stores by the end of April. Mark your calendars as you definitely want to get your hands on this simple, clean, classy, smart, understated, elegant and chic designer prêt line which promises to be affordable too.