MS. WORLD FASHION SHOW '97

The world at their feet

MS. WORLD '97 DIANA HAYDEN

It was Saturday, Nov. the 15th 1997. The sky was overcast and the sea was on a high tide. Against the backdrop of silver sands and crystal clear waters of the breathtaking Seychelles Arcipalego in the Indian Ocean, 86 contestants from all over the world hadgathered to compete for the most coveted crown in the beauty pageants – The Miss World 1997 title and today was the Miss Photogenic title fashion parade at the Plantation Club in Mahe.

For the second time in the pageant’s history since 1951, ten Indian designers had been chosen from among many in the world to dress up the contestants for this fashion show. The rare honour for all this goes to none other than Ogaan, a leading couture house in India.

Gilbert Pool, PR Communications for the Miss World said ‘‘You call it a Miss World going back to nature, our planet’s most precious asset. How fitting that the most beautiful girls in the world are being welcomed by the most beautiful islands in the most beautiful outfits.’’

According to Miss Julia Morley, Miss World Organisation – ‘‘The invitation to the Indian designers is a part of our efforts to get a world fashion understanding. Indian fashion and textiles are beautiful. The collections of all the Indian designers aretruly international even as they retain their Indianness. That is something truly remarkable.’’

According to Miss Kavita Bhartia, MD,Ogaan,
‘‘It is a rare honour for both India as well as us to be invited by the Miss World organisation. Coming as it does in the 50th year of Independence, it becomes even more significant. It is a tribute to the rich heritage of our country.

In a fitting tribute to both the pageant and to the lush and idyllic Seychelles islands, which is a veritable melting point of some of the world’s best cultures, the designers celebrated the spirit of gaiety and freedom. The textiles, colours, textures andsilhouettes being used by the designers were rooted in India, but create a truly international look.

Choreographed by Lubna Adamand with music by Russell Credo, against a backdrop of hi-tech light effects and a splendid stage setting, the show opened with a dance sequence by Geeles, a French, now a student at JNU.

The contestants started off with Raghuvendra Rathore’s line which offered a superb mix of textures, modern fabrics, clinging cuts and a dark palette. For Sunita Shankar’s collection, they wore long black tunics teamed with trousers and skirts, giving it an Indian sensibility with auniversal appeal.

Rajesh Pratap Singh paid a tribute to the vibrancy and joyousness of Seychelles by using bright, vibrant colours. Drawing inspiration from Khajuraho, Rohit Bal’s collection had a nostalgic and sensuous appeal where he drew on his exquisite sense of style,creating an alluring aura. Gitanjali Kashyap had created an eclectic mix of colours, clothing and style which was a fusion of the east and the west.

Madhu Jain,who was present there to witness her creation, had worked upon a special collection using the Nashkantha embroidery for the occasion. Monisha Jaisingh had created a Western range for the Miss World pageant-long knitted body hugging dresses in lycra in black with deep cuts at the waist. Bhairavi Jaikishan’s collection celebrated a sense of fun and Joie de’Vivre. They were an artful blend of fabrics, colours and drapes which created an international feel. Wendell Rodrick’s collection made an innovative and formal statement and the outfits reflected different moments and emotions.

In a fitting finale, Omana by Kavita Bhartia herself, presented an enchanting collection which drew inspiration from India’s rich cultural heritage. Intricate embroideries or velvet and gharcholas enhanced the beauty and appeal of Omana’s collection.

It was a surprise and a pleasure to see how our designers had created an international line in which each and every contestant was equally comfortable.

The Fashion Show for Miss World'97 was a success once again!

some of the contestants