Arpana and Norden unveil “New Tower of Babel” for Lakme Fashion Week

GANGTOK, 18 Feb: A preview to designer duo Aparana and Norden Wangdi’s Spring Summer 2011 collection [to be showcased at the Lakme Fashion week] was held on 13 March in Mumbai. The theme for their collection this year is, “The New Tower of Babel”, described as a “theatrical manifestation of the ever contracting contemporary world”.
The collection uses alphabetical symbols in different languages in the form of embroideries, digital prints and patchwork detailing. Japanese, Chinese, English, Sanskrit are visible in this collection. The silhouettes are very simplistic in their asymmetry and drape. Colors range from off whites, navy, cobalt blues into greys, blacks into vibrant reds and pink.
The collection is essentially of dresses with drapes and flares are seen along with very easy wrap styles. Immense texturing has been done with screen printing, digital printing and sequin embroidery of characters. The collection has intricate stitching details but the overall effect is minimalistic, the details being visible on close scrutiny.
“We are setting foot in a couple of new European countries this year, as our designs do very well with foreign buyers. We are also developing some exciting ranges of soft furnishings”, inform the designers who also have an outlet in Gangtok – Ollatin, on Tibet Road.