09 September,2010 06:48 AM IST | | Shweta Shiware
The sari has left millions awestruck, and the latest victims are designer duo Hemant Sagar and Didier Lecoanet, who have created a line of womenswear inspired by the six-yard drape
It was the image of a sari-clad woman walking out of the sea in a coastal town of Orissa, that left Hemant Sagar, one half of the Lecoanet Hemant designer brand, awestruck with the beauty of the six-yard creation.
"There was something I saw that I can't explain, something magical about the drenched sari," Hemant remembers.
A few years later, his partner and Paris-based Didier Lecoanet visited India, and flipped for the country and the sari, giving a much-needed impetus to a "mad love affair" that the designer duo now share with the drape.
Lecoanet and Hemant's Fall/Winter 2010 collection that they have called, Ode to Tinsel Town, banks on the 1000 year-old wrap that's synonymous with the Indian woman.
They lend it a modern kick to create contemporary clothing ideas that are fit for the red carpet.
"It's a collection of strong silhouettes, all draped, embellished and layered to take the form of dresses," he says about the range that will be unveiled this evening.
Focussing on browns and greys, the range is crafted from multi-hued tulle, silk taffetas, organza, chiffon, and uses opposing trims and metallic chains as detailing. "We've tried capturing the movement of flattering drapes in these pieces."
While Hemant would rather refrain from revealing a wish-list of Bollywood actresses who he'd like to see walk the red carpet in their creations, Sonia Jehan is an effortless contender.
Their "Dear friend, Sonia" essayed the role of Mumtaz Mahal in the big-budget period romance Taj Mahal, followed by appearances in Khoya Khoya Chand and My Name is Khan.
Usual suspects at Mumbai's Lakme Fashion Week and Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in the capital, this year the designers have excused themselves from the six-monthly media and buyer get-together in favour of their first solo show.
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Brand building was the driving reason behind the decision, since at fashion weeks there are no less than 25 brands vying for a piece of publicity pie.
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"Brand building can't be done with 25 names crammed on one background. You have to follow the organiser's rules and regulations.
We wanted freedom to decide the guest list, who the models will be, what the choreography will look like. So, a solo show made sense.
Fashion weeks have turned into a platform for entertainment anyway. I have done zero business at both shows," laughs Hemant over the telephone from Delhi.
The Lecoanet Hemant F/W 2010 is available in stores.
Priced between Rs 8,000 and Rs 50,000, the collection is being retailed at: Ensemble, Kemps Corner, and Mi-Casa, Junction of St. Theresa Road and 28th Rd, Bandra (W).
Pinakin, Raghuvanshi Mills, Lower Parel.
Aza, 21 Altamount Road, Amara 1/3/5 Kemps Boulevard Kwality House, Kemps Corner.
