The Emperor's New Clothes

I and most of the Indian fashion fraternity have been watching with interest the progression of designer Anuj Sharma. With a radical, conceptual view to garment-construction, it's always interesting to see what his next point of departure would be.

While he's appears to me a reticent, conscious artist, his recent collection titled 'Knot for you' is almost too quiet in its offerings and left me wanting.

Revolving around strategically placed knots that bound, shaped, draped and formed the Grecian, waif-like, dreamy, ethereal silhouettes, the only other additions were the slim black ribbons that held the drapes at the shoulders.

While i marvel at his consistency with staying true to concept, and the media' enjoy his every offering, most of the design school pack, like myself, were not as charmed with the overtly pared down quality of his look. We were thinking "...interesting, but that's more like a week's worth of draping assignments. What's so special?"

In my opinion, the garments looked unfinished and lacking in detail - an incomplete vision. They also looked much too fragile to be truly wearable. A touch of controlled, tonal beading on the ribbon details would have lifted the overall effect considerably, giving it that finishing touch. Linings too might have been a welcome addition.

His debut collection, on the other hand, saw the thinking man present a line of dresses fashioned from de-constructed shirts. And I personally thought it was very well executed. With misplaced sleeves and collars appearing on women's wear as detailing and embellishments along with drapes and cowls for mini and halter dresses.

The 'Sunday Market' theme came across beautifully with subtle and intelligent styling in the form of bicycle bells for finger rings and metal lunch boxes for handbags. Gladiator style shoes completed the look.

Lack of footwear in his 3 collections since, as well as his disdain for meaty detail and embellishment, remind me of the fable the Emperor's New Clothes, wherein the clothes were mainly in the Emperor's mind.