Manish Arora is a psychedelic eccentric design king

WHEN BIZARRE BECOMES BEAUTIFUL

I need to confess that on Day 1 of the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2010 at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, the buzz was not as much as it was last season. But the most anticipated show of the day was that of Manish Arora's. Everyone had different expectations from this Paris-based designer who's dressed celebrities including Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. But he couldn't care less of what we wanted to see, Manish came and shattered our aspirations and built a new empire — that of hi-tech looks for a super confident modern woman. So, if you have the gall to call the shots, yeah, you can be Manish Arora's client. He'll dress you up like no one else.

At his 9 pm show on Friday (Sept 17), people flocked in way before time despite road blocks due to Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the city, lest they miss their chance to get seated on time. Not many actors came in but some very serious buyers made a front row appearance. I saw Pradeep Hirani of Kimaya making keen mental notes of the designs on the ramp.

THE SHOW: If you've watched Star Trek as a kid, you'll know it left an impact of Arora's mind rather deeply. So, his show started with an A/V show of a scientist making a life-inducing experiment on a female robot. Yeah, she comes alive after many electric shocks and then her heart beeps some hi-tech clothes sense. Nay! It wasn't as simple as its worded. Arora made sure the music was extremely well choreographed so that the impact of his laser-dominated show was good. As ABBA's Take a Chance played, models strutted in neon-hued designs. Smoke rose and the laser lights went right from the start point till the end of runway. Audience sat on the edge of the seats, guessing what's coming next. One after the other, Manish showcased a very different festive flavour.

THE DESIGNS: Op art designs and colours, rouched blouses, structured jackets with colourful cowl pants, bias cut skirts and sexy plunging V necklines which were at times balanced by rigid extended shoulders and wide sleeves. There were jackets with intricate embroideries (I loved them), fantastic fine cuts and leggings which completed the look. Futuristic shoes too were quite a head turner.

THE SHOWSTOPPER: Yeah. Mumbaiites did wait for a pretty actress to take to the ramp for Manish Aroa. But like he says that we Indians have got the entire concept of showstoppers wrong. A showstopping number is a dress and not the person. So, like he promised he had many showstoppers with his designs.

INDIAN IN PARIS: Manish is already on his way back to participate at the upcoming Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011. After witnessing his finesse in Mumbai, am proud that an Indian so gifted will represent us in Paris.

Way to go Manish!