Denise Marray
For any young girl who wants to be effortlessly chic, casual and a little quirky — Ashish has the answers. His London Fashion Week Spring/Summer ’13 show was fun, innovative and a celebration of fresh, new ideas. How he managed to create really stylish pieces by fusing elements of tracksuits, denim and slinky sequins is anyone’s guess — but he pulled it off and judging by the reaction after the show, he can expect to do well with this collection.
The models wore their hair gathered up in slightly unkempt scrunchies and teamed classic reeboks with sparkly pop socks. They looked really at ease as they stepped out confidently in the clothes — a breath of fresh air after years of watching women teetering about in vertiginous heels that entrap them in a hell of restricted pain.
Stunning model and actress, Tolula Adeyemi, who sat front row at the show, was impressed. “I love Ashish — he’s bringing back Reebok classics — and I love the sequined pop socks,” she said. “The look is quite simple but with very interesting details such as the backless tops. His sequins are high octane glamour but he’s twisted it and made it into a very cool, street, 90’s influenced collection,” she added. Tolula, who has family in Abu Dhabi, found herself at the center of a storm of flashbulbs as she took her place to enjoy the show — but with a face and figure that every magazine covets that’s no surprise.
Another front row fashionista, Sunshine Duncan, from Toronto, Canada, said, “The look is really chic, but relaxed and comfortable. As for jeans and sequins — I personally couldn’t rock it — but I know people who could. I loved the piece that looked as though it is made of gold feathers!”
The show was also a hit with Mayuko Yamamoto, from Japan. “I thought the styling was amazing and the colors gorgeous — I really liked it!” she said. The colors were pale denim blue, crisp cotton white, metallic grey, gold and almond, with polka dots and sequins. There was a curious blend of delicacy and athleticism about the look — feminine and strong.
For Jack Risley who works for the video production company that films London and New York Fashion Weeks, the show stood out as being original and fresh. “I see a lot of the shows and I would say this is ‘right up there with the top’ — I love Ashish,” he said.
Elegant marketing director, Shipra Gill, from Delhi, said, “It seemed this collection is for a regular girl. You don’t have to be a top model to wear this fashion. It combines everyday style with glamor. It’s definitely something I would like to go and buy. I feel this can work well internationally — I think Ashish is going to do great in 2013.”
So it’s thumbs up all round for the Delhi born designer whose handcrafted designs are made at his workshop/factory in India. But clearly he’s not one to relish the limelight — he managed just a brief shy bow at the end of his uplifting show.
— life.style@arabnews.com