Bibhu Mohapatra – LFW Summer/Resort 2012
It was a show that was undoubtedly the most awaited that ended Day Two of Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2012. He is one of the whiz kids of fashion from India who is rocking the USA fashion world. Born in Rourkela Orissa, Bibhu Mohapatra, 40, earned his Masters in Economics from Utah University and then moved into a profession of artistic elegance, studying at FIT, New York, where the critics gave him an award for evening wear in 1997. With experience as Design Director for French furrier, J Mendel, Bibhu has dressed Hollywood divas like Angelina Jolie, Sienna Miller and many others. Launching his label in 2008, Bibhu's evening wear is the rage of the western world, and admired for its stylish directions. In a fast paced show featuring 36 elegant Red Carpet creations and cocktail wear whose inspiration apparently was the unpublished Polaroid's of Helmut Newton, Bibhu proved why he is the much in demand designer for stunning evening ensembles. Working on a fabric chart which moved from knit, cotton canvas, voile, to wool, organza, chiffon, georgette, mousseline, satin, lace and even suede; Bibhu's colour story was equally vast. From soft pastels like flesh, pink, blush, ivory, lavender and skin to more stronger hues like emerald, stone, navy, azure, flame, vermillion, black and finally gold; Bipu created some easy to wear and very flattering garments, which were at all times lean and body hugging with hints of fluid flowing elegance. Pleated skirts with laser cut inserts, cropped jackets, sleek wool trousers, stark leather jacket, and few dhoti pants (inspirations from his Indian roots) draped wide leg trousers, sexy dress with satin bondage straps and a line up of slinky gowns - many with silk ribbon embroidery and clever drapes - revealed the designer's creativity for the sophisticated opulent apparel. The finish and cut was impeccable with the ensembles having an international appeal. Undoubtedly the show was a vision of beautiful elegant classic evening wear that glided down the ramp. Taking a bow to rousing applause from the audience, Bibhu Mohapatra at his premiere show in India proved that he is firmly entrenched on the international fashion scene and will be one of the few Indian designers who will shake the global apparel business.
