Raga Jalebi

INDIAN EXPRESS

Payal Jain: Raga Jalebi

The most arresting moment at designer Payal Jain’s show,titled Raga,at the poolside of the Hyatt Regency on Friday evening,was when the designer took her bow in a glamourous,black gown,an emerald pendant around her slim neck. All the models were in pearl white. It was a powerful,black-and-white flash. A nice show with models walking on the periphery of a poolside,with the backdrop of a candle-lit white set glowing with letters of the Hindi alphabet,would hardly disappoint anyone. It was a pleasantly cold Delhi evening; a variety of food junctions and a flowing bar indulged the guests. A large number of people turned up to clap for what was billed as Jain’s holiday collection. A classicist in her fashion leanings,who has been consistently engaging with understated femininity through design,the designer sent down a pretty collection in black,white and red. Luxuriant embroidery and silhouettes that flatter the female form made the clothes saleable and wearable.

But Jain might want to worry about the way she pitches her fashion. While it is a smart idea to put the collection out in the stores from yesterday itself,barely a day after unveiling it,her clothes were far from a typical ‘holiday’ or ‘cruise’ series.

Well,unless finely embroidered garments in stretch lace,silk jerseys,crepe and georgette saris and delicately embellished silk taffeta are your vacation fare. She needs to title her series more aptly,instead of succumbing to an international connotation called ‘Holiday’. Not only that,but her show,now an annual event hosted by the Hyatt,is becoming bigger than her clothes. The evening was too much a pretty party and it took away attention from the collection. In an age where fashion without sponsors is a joke,it is ironical that a five-star host,a lavish venue and hot,delicious jalebis should distract people from the reason that had brought them together. Payal Jain needs a tight,closed venue,so that her garments call the shots. The jalebis could be served at an after-party.