THERE CAME the most-awaited fashion night of the season — the grand finale of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2011 A/W. As the glitterati poured in to be a part of the fashion extravaganza, the whole atmosphere had a carnival-like feel to it. The various lounges were abuzz with activity and so were the stalls with last minute talks.
The day progressed, the frenzy to get into the show area for the finale show reached its crescendo as the clock struck 10. Well, when King of Kolkata, Sabyasachi Mukherjee is closing the Week and showcasing at Wills for the first time, everybody wants to have their Sabya moment.
Within minutes the show area decked up with bulbs hanging on the tapestry was packed to the gills. With a live jazz band playing music, people jostled to make room for themselves. And soon we discovered a vintage set up reminiscent of an old British Library set against the backdrop of life-size fashion Bibles.
The show opened with a performance by performer Kiya and the excited buyers, celebrities and guests accompanied her to set the right mood. Vidya Balan, who was escorted to her front row seat by Sabya himself, was the centre of attention before models in reading glasses alighted on the ramp in his collection that was inspired from the 60s and 70s fashion. Soon followed ruffled tweed skirts and sleeves and more skirts with gold embroidery and heavy embellishments. The show climaxed on a cheery note when the shy designer took the final bow.