New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) With the finale of the upcoming ‘Lakme Fashion Week’ (LFW) winter/festive 2018 promising to be an exquisite affair, the curtain raiser to the fashion extravaganza is not far behind and promises to be an equally inspiring affair that will raise the grandeur quotient.
Premiering for the very first time on the Lakme Fashion Week ramp will be the drag culture courtesy ‘Chola’, the innovative fashion label best known for maintaining the integrity of the fabric by letting the texture and detailing do the talking, opening on Day 1 on the Experimental Stage.
The to-be showcased collection titled ‘Bye Felicia’ implying ‘dismissing the irrelevant’, is inspired by the drag culture, as a silent protest against society and its’ definition of normalcy.
Through black and white fabrics with grey and beige undertones, the collection will showcase the strength and the power of gender fluency.
Adding sheen to the innovative concept will be Bollywood’s grey shade character Prateik Babbar and his fiancée Sanya Sagar who will be making their debut together on a fashion ramp for the maiden time.
Joining them on the ramp will be Bhavana Sharma, Erika Packard who will be bejwelled in creations from Roma Narsinghani.
Adhuna Bhabani’s B Blunt and Natasha Nischol and Virginia Holmes’ Fat Mu will be lending their expertise for hair and make-up while the music will be specially composed by Ex-Jalebee Cartel and presently Calm Chor, Ashvin Mani Sharma
On the international front, Marco Marco shows have become the fiercest thing in fashion, thanks to the designer’s use of drag queens and trans models stomping the runway.
Not to forget RuPaul Drag Race which perfectly illustrates fashion’s flirtation with drag culture – of which once can see a resurgence in recent years.
Sohaya Mishra of ‘Chola’ who is popularly known as ‘The Queen Of Anti-Fit’ in the fashion world, said,“The show is all about being comfortable in your skin, taking pride in your identity and expressing yourself to the fullest. I always wanted to highlight socio-psychological issues that are prevalent in the country in my story telling.”
“For this collection I have taken inspiration from the drag and how it is imperative to not just fit in but also allow yourself the liberty to seek freedom from social norms,” she said.
“There is always room for black and white but the real struggle is when you’re grey. That’s where my inspiration sprung up from. Drag can be a creative outlet, a means of self-exploration, and a way to make cultural statements. It’s important that drag continues to have an active role in fashion – not just to enrich, but to educate,” Sohaya said.
Fresh from the success of ‘Baaghi 2’ and ‘Mulk’, Prateik Babbar said, “As Indians, we often don’t talk about our sex and sexuality which is more like an undercover operation. This attempt by ‘Chola’ is to normalise those topics that are usually not discussed in the mainstream by trying to engage in a dialogue on sexuality in the public domain.”
“I truly believe all forms of creativity whether its art or fashion or films can drive change and empower mindsets,” Prateik added.
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