Style & Design
Originally published on Friday, 19th September 2008
Falguni & Shane Peacock.
A complex richness of fabric, colour, pattern and jewelled embroidery exemplifies much of traditional Indian clothing; alongside out view of the glamour of Bollywood. Since the 1980's traditional dress has been embraced by many women in the UK and the styles and vivid impression the garments offer has become a wardrobe option. To move the traditions forward and to encompass both the home market and the international market is a challenge facing many designers from India.
The recent reports of different needs and ideas for Indian fashion weeks and governing bodies also indicates the very differing views within the industry itself. This collection, and the other reviewed below demonstrate some of the difficulties in presenting during London Fashion Week to both those who understand the original aesthetic and those who are simply looking for "fashion". Falguni and Shane Peacock have an obvious understanding of what they are trying to say but there where moments when in fashion terms they hit the mark and others when they seemed to be simply trying too hard.
The workmanship was superb but at time sit was obscured by another detail, another print, or another drape. The very short dresses also needed to reflect the new longer lengths around this season, see the Victoria Beckham collection, to show off the workmanship to better advantage. A superb draped bodice in jewel tones only needed a plain skirt to show it off to full advantage. All this is from the "fashion" point of view; from other angles the collection fully succeeded.
