PRESS RELEASE

Fall Collection 05 – 06: by Anju Modi

The Picture Perfect Collection (Bridging Nostalgia with Innovation)

What’s the story?

The artistic mind is inclined to recognize the duality in expression and form in nature. Where most people choose to see chaos and confusion in the way of the world, an artist sees the beauty in creating harmony from diversity and knows that it is diversity that creates a balance between the millions of colossal forces of nature, leading to perfect harmony. And it is here that the artistic mind epitomizes the triumph of the human spirit.

For example, who can ever appreciate the true exhilaration of a hard-fought victory, unless they have tasted crushing defeat? This duality between the old and the new, the even and the uneven and the equilibrium and disequilibria in everything, all this complements each other to give a holistic beauty that would have been otherwise incomplete.

This idea can be found in ancient works of art that remain with us in unique imperfection, making them dearer to the human spirit and them to a glorious pedestal for the artistic world. It is ironic that the ruins of ancient civilizations and people are dearer to us for their long past glory and magnificence. Whether it’s the ruins of the Indus Valley civilization, the Colosseum of Rome or Machu Piccu, otherwise called ‘the lost city of Incas’ – we search for, and indeed find the beauty in ancient coinage, scriptures, works of art and engravings.

It is this feeling of reverence and appreciation for the ancient that is the inspiration for textile exponent and fashion artiste Anju Modi’s Fall/Winter collection for 2005-06. An artiste who has always believed in blending tradition with technology to reach her singular vision of dual perfection, Anju is working around innovative styles and themes merge tradition with modernity.

Everything is feminine and delicate inspired by nature.

Fabrics
This year Anju has used naturalfabrics - with a desire for ease and breathability. Cotton and linen yarns lead the way, with raw silk making a comeback. Weaves are inspired by nature – bamboo, natural slubs, seersucker and basketweave designs. Jerseys are natural, dry and slubbed, often using linen blends.

Inspired by utility fabrics and seen in all scales and tones of colour. Effects like 3d printing, tie-dye or organic finishes. Fabrics often have a futuristic feeling, achieved by the mixing metallic and natural yarns.

Colours
The major focus of the story is how to use the earthy colours of the palette.

The colours form a soft and naturally harmonizing palette. This collection highlights brown as the neutral for this Fall/Winter, permeated with bright and sparkling dashes of teal and candy rose. The browns personify the warmth and glow of the winter sun, styled and toned to reflect the calm presence and warmth of times gone by.

And showcasing a perfect example of her versatility, Anju uses bright colours like kiwi greens and indigo to reflect the vibrant spirit of the youth and the richness of Indian tradition. What is truly inspired in the collection is that modern colours are used but on traditional weaves fabrics and silhouettes. While classics like jewel tones, earth colours, black and ivory make their marked presence felt in the collection, what sets the final effect aside is the rendition of sharp metallic strokes on old favourites. Another theme of the collection is the spirit of tranquillity and mystic calm, rendered to life with two completely different colours – shezmu(wine) and ivory. With wine the effect is subtle, magnetic and visually permeates slowly into consciousness. Ivory, classic in its tone and serenity, blends beautifully into traditional patterns and styles, giving the collection a distinct old world charm and presence.

Silhouettes
With the fashion conscious experimenting with great zeal with different styles and tones, this season the fall skirt is very versatile, ranging from the mini worn over opaque tights to the innovative hanky hemline skirt; a unique element in the flowing skirt is the inset lace and fringes, giving a distinctly feminine and romantic edge to the skirt.

The collection is mixture of asymmetrical lines, oversized, baggy shapes, and alluring skin revealing drapes. The collection offers something for everyone with full flowing skirts, jodhpuris and knee length capris, boat necks from the 60s, and vintage geometrical prints on tees, skirts and accessories. Notching up the wearibility factor of the collection.

Textures/fabric treatment
What is singular in the collection is the use of ancient techniques of applying hand printed Silver leaf foil (‘chandi ki verk’), three-dimensional printing of white on whites, and old embroideries, crochet and rouching.

Accessories
With the aforesaid brilliant colour palette, the collection is accessorised with tassels and sturdy, rustic jewellery, underlining the old world feel of the collection. There is a clear emphasis of the empire line and on belts and wraps. For the feet, Anju presents Roman-style shoes or sandals that tie around the ankle, giving the modern clotheshorse something classy and modern at the same time.

The collection reflects Anju Modi’s unique interpretation of ancient cultures and traditions for the modern world. Her artistic vision is sublime yet distinct, setting her collection apart from the norm and offering some clothes for though for the fashion oriented soul.

Available at:

Crescent
Shop No. S-2, Lado Sarai
New Delhi
Ph: +91-11-32994618
Fax: +91-11-26340942

Square One
Shop No. 110, 1st Floor
Saket
New Delhi, India
Ph: 91-11-29563036

Kemps Corner

Shop No.15

Next to China Garden

Om Chambers,

Mumbai – 400046

Ph: +91- 22 – 2369 1050 / 2368 5895

Email: anjuman@vsnl.com / ampm@ampmfashions.com
Website: www.anjumodi.com