ASIAN WOMAN, April 2007 issue, pg 136

(scanning is not my forte...)







Here's the article:

London Fashion Week’s Autumn/Winter 07 collections predicted another season of shimmering sparkles, with our desi designers Manish Arora and Ashish giving their peers a run for their money. Could a magpie be a metaphor for an Indian? Possibly so, as these designers certainly satisfied their indulgence for all things shiny.

Arora’s technicolour collections were fantastic, with each creation more creative than the last. Super-hero capes and futuristic frocks, embroidered with glitter, dominated the catwalk. Shiny PVC leggings were studded in gold. Arora’s make-up was as good as his clothes, painting the prints from his fabrics onto the faces of the models. Platinum blonde and cherry red Cleopatra wigs completed the look, however some models sported a Star Trek inspired bald head. Perhaps that was the point - this Delhi born designer was definitely light years ahead.

Central Saint Martins graduate Ashish, yet again, was loyal to his sequins. Choosing London’s famous gay club Heaven as the backdrop, the neon lights and dazzling outfits could have been better viewed with a pair of sunglasses. The party dresses were extremely wearable, as was most of Ashish’s collection. Oversized bows sat proudly at the waist of almost every look and were nothing short of cute.

Other designers favouring this luxurious trend on the catwalk included Julien MacDonald whose gilt dress was worn by Naomi Campbell. Designer duo Sinha-Stanic incorporated bronze panels into tailored jackets and skirts, as well as embellishing outfits with gold and silver threads. Additionally Basso & Brooke’s glowing fabrics were a delight.

This season the leaders of the pack were the Indian designers, outshining their contemporaries, literally.