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Pondy makes a style statement

Casablanca's fashion show featured designers and models from in and around Pondy

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

YOUNG AND HIP Models at the show

Just as the clock struck 7.30 p.m., a cold drizzle began outside and the warm interiors sprang to life. The much-awaited fashion show by Casablanca started off with young models catwalking on the store's wooden floor. The models, mostly in their teens, showcased the apparels of Colours of Nature, Upasana, Rangoli, Gecko and Hidesign made in Pondicherry and Auroville. They seemed to enjoy being clad in well-designed outfits that suited their slender frames.

A. Poongudi from Auroville's Future School was thrilled to be wearing the white dress created by Colours of Nature for the occasion. "Everybody thought I looked like an angel," she said. "Sandrine (Casablanca's customer liason), who chose the clothes for the show, really helped me. This is my second fashion show. I enjoy walking the ramp and plan to take it up as a career."

Sebastian and Sriram were excited with this new experience. Sriram, who plans to leave for France to study engineering said that he doesn't mind doing modelling part time. A fashion-conscious youngster, who prefers to wear only branded clothes, Sriram said that he liked the white and black series at the show. "It was nice that the organisers chose to feature wannabes rather than professionals," he opined. There were also two sisters from the Lycee (French school), Alizee and Kahina Bernard, who appeared nervous at the start but were at ease as the show progressed. Farida, their mother, said with a smile, "Every girl likes to wear good clothes, don make-up and flaunt it. So do my daughters."

A total of 20 models — 11 girls and 9 boys — from Auroville and Pondicherry participated. They were chosen through a model hunt, organised by Casablanca, where about 50 youngsters had turned up. One of the designers, Dorothee of Gecko, said that it was a fantastic idea for Casablanca to showcase apparels of designers from in and around Pondicherry. Gecko's line comprised of outfits in earthy tones, black, white and a few in the bright yellow and green.

Gecko has been making linen garments for men, women and children for the past seven years. "It is a fabric that hasn't been given much attention to in this part of the country. It is a natural fabric, cool and is similar to cotton but has a different feel," said Dorothee.

Dilip Kapur, president, Casablanca said, "We wanted to show that Pondicherry too has its share of beautiful, young and talented people. A few of them are quite good and we might get leading models to guide them. We also wanted to show what Pondicherry's designers are creating. We have a vibrant fashion scene. The town needs a good window and we have been a good one. This is our second show. The first one was held two and a half years ago."

The show was put together by Jacqueline Kapur and Sandrine. "What we are trying to do is make Casablanca a place for the hip. Every month, we come up with a theme and have events based on it. Next month will be the month of the artists and so we will have artists doing free portrait sketches. From September 10, we will have an art exhibition and at the end of the month there will be an auction of paintings, the proceeds of which will go towards a cause," said Jacqueline, director of the store.

"We are planning to have four shows every year and may be having the same team for the other shows as well. We looked for young people with a nice attitude, who enjoy modelling. The principal and staff of Lycee were quite helpful by encouraging many students to participate in the event," said Sandrine.

DEEPA H RAMAKRISHNAN

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