Bling fling

Oct 10, 2010 - Amishi |

The Asian Age

I have never noticed so much bling on the fashion horizon as I can now. Can you imagine metallic brocade and gold sheath; full-on zardozi embroidery and gold sequence. We are talking London fashion week and Paris fashion week, not India fashion week.

Not really the style of a recessionista. More suited for boom-time dressing psychologically. If fashion is to represent the economy, dull grey could be more in keeping with the times. Not bling bling gold. Definitely not clothing that induces sunglasses-wearing!
There was a cover story in the Economist Intelligent Life about the death of minimalism in architecture, construction, interiors and design. And I said hmmm...o really! Now what will the English do, with their low-key style and demeanour? Bright colours and show-stopping bold embellishment is an Indian thing and even an Italian trademark. Think Cavalli. The Indians and the Italians, they love colour. They like their opulence. And shine. The combination of bright orange and shocking pink was discovered by Indians for sure. Can you imagine an angrez in those colours? The Britons dress to match the British sky, in shades of grey. Things have changed I believe.
You will have to wear glares to see Vivienne Westwood’s (the icon of British fashion) gold tunic dress, part of her Red label collection. In spite to its glitter, it manages to achieve the chic look. Balmain has the most stunning collection of sequenced dresses in black, lilac and bronze. With strong padded shoulders it is made for someone who has a defined, slim, finite figure but a salary figure which is of the infinite kind. Alexander McQueen has a similar style in red fully embroidered brocade. What I really cannot get over are his resin platform sandals with angel wings as the straps. Full on zardozi work.
Roberto Cavalli’s black gilded trousers intricately embroidered along the sides may come with a drop-dead price tag, but it is an investment because it is ageless and timeless and can be sold as vintage by your granddaughter for a fortune. Max Mara, normally known for its minimalist approach, has a collection of embroidered knee length dresses.
Everything is about opulence and luxury this season. In short if you thinking of investing in a colour, this season let it be gold. The dress just might be worth its weight in gold, one day!
The writer owns a fashion brand based in Europe. She can be reached on info@amishi.eu

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