ASHISH PANDEY- fortuitous designer who believes
"God lies in details... " Meis Van der Rohe
Presents
Folk lore at LIFW 2003
Meet the believer. In a world of 'make-do' young NIFT
alumnus Ashish Pandey stands out as the 'faithful' who believes his karma
lies in painstaking perfection. Ashish, whose impressionable years were
spent amidst the splendour of Jaipur's royal heritage, fine-tuned his
talent under the creative guidance of fashion phenomenon J J Valaya.,
worships the classic. Inspired by the Kutch Embroidery from Gujrat, Ashish
Pandey's LIFW 2003 Collection offers a neo look to the age old traditional
style. Embellishments in the form of kundan and mirror, merge with original
embroidery forms and team up with brocade patch, resham and sequins. Using
an unconventional mix and match of colours to create an unpredictable
combination. The colour pallete varies from "Turquoise" Blue,
Brick Red, Ochre Yellow to Peachy Pink, Mid-night Blue and beyond.
A
fusion of Folk Lore and Bohemian luxury create a new urban style.
While the fashion frat watched from the wings, the brilliantly
creative Ashish Pandey took centre-stage in August 1998 with his own label.
Dedicated to exquisite work, Ashish pays a tribute to magnificent detailing
and quality, variety in design, texture and fabric which flourished under
the discerning patronage of royalty. Little wonder then, that by 2002,
this talented young designer was ready to showcase his Fall Winter Collection
in the Lakme India Fashion Week.
Ashish's forte lies in the fact that he does not believe
in diluting the proven. He is among the torchbearers whose work catalogues
the priceless magnificence of delicate Indian embroidery. Most of the
needlepoint is done with silk thread or resham and for texture and dimension,
he turns to beads and metal. To give his work the flexibility of contemporary
styles, he does find himself touching a little nylon or polyester thread.
However, his loyalty to the Jaipur 'gharana, of couture is so set that
there are veritably little sequins and certainly no dabka or mokhaish.
His glorious collection of pure brocades and woven jacquards
on occasion-based dressing -- short kurtas, shararas, ghararas and sarees
-whisk you away to the magical, lost grandeur of an era which was famed
world-wide for its splendour. For that touch of the delicate and the sheer,
he turns to georgette and sometimes, crepe.
And when Ashish Pandey feels the need for a little touch
of drama, he gives in to his passion for experimental dressing which manifests
itself in costumes for product launches. Ashish makes a canny prediction
of colours too. Although his eternal favourites are the jewels hues of
fuchsia pink, turquoise and a glowing flame teamed with neutrals, he varies
them according to trends. Very much a product of his times, Ashish Pandey
has the right credentials for both the classic and pret-a-porter line
blessed as he is with a blend of modernity and respect for tradition since
he did his schooling from Saint Xavier's, Jaipur. And so, he finds himself
just as at ease with the western look, with a comprehensive array of garments
for the modern Indian woman, who is at one with tradition. His pret line,
most of which is made up of short shirts, embroidered kurtis, jacket-look
shirts to team with trousers and skirts, includes denim, lycra, jewel-colours
in raw silk and happy-hued synthetic brocade. The casuals are made for
the today woman who can be comfortable in them at work and thereafter,
as she lives the evening up.
A look at his outlets - Ogaan, Ensemble in Delhi, Designers
Studio and Pantaloon Store in Mumbai, RCKC, London, and the pret line
through One Clothing by Ruchi Malhotra at Shoppers Stop -reflects the
diversity and range of this brilliant designer who has arrived young.
Whatever he does, Ashish Pandey's personal attention to every garment
blesses his creations with a personality which is unmistakable. A personality
which reflects in the label he lends his name to.
ASHISH PANDEY- fortuitous designer who believes 
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