Fashion roundup: Jazzing up the sari 
By Deepa Gahlot, May 2, 2007 - 08:39 IST
It was nice to notice that the female star guest at the 'Abhiash' wedding were dressed in saris-of late the ladies have taken to wearing western outfits, whether gowns and cocktail dresses suit their figures or not.
But what has been missing of late is the traditional Indian silk sari - the Banarasi or Kanjeevaram that used to be so popular at formal functions at one time. Even Hema Malini the Kanjeevaram queen, now wears the embroidered or sequined 'designer' saris in synthetic fabrics that are in vogue today.
The fact is that a fabric like, say chiffon, falls well, gives the wearer a slim silhouette, and looks rather good with the bustiers, noodle-strap or backless blouses that today's actresses favour to match with their saris. This is a fusion of western chic and Indian ethnic wear that combines the elegance of the sari with the sexiness of the backless gown. Most actresses like Rani Mukerji and Aishwarya Rai who prefer to wear saris for formal functions, get to show off toned backs and yet take on the dignity of the sari wearer.
The traditional Indian silks may look gorgeous, but do nothing to flatter the figure. Till a few years back, actresses used to be voluptuous and the silk sari covered up what was not meant to be seen.
But the look today is slim and toned, so no actress wants to look like an 'amma' in a Kanjeevaram. Rekha may be the last loyalist of the heavy brocade look, because Hema Malini has given it up to show off her newly svelte figure.
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The entry of haute couture into Bollywood may be a good thing, since the styling of a star today, is almost as important as the performance. But this also misfires on occasion.
Like the fabulous mini-skirts, strappy tops and calf-length boots chosen by designer Surily Goel for Rani Mukerji in Ta Ra Rum Pum, may have looked great on the bodies of tall, leggy models on the ramp, but Rani is too short to carry off that look. Also the fringe did nothing for her round face; in fact it took away from the depth of her eyes - her strongest feature.
The dresses Manish Malhotra designed for Ayesha Takia in Kya Love Story Hai, emphasized her plumpness, and some of them made her look embarrassingly top heavy. Her costumes also varied madly from the dark, frumpy and almost funereal (like the black dress in the party scene where she first meets Tusshar) or eye-blindingly colourful, like the multi-layered skirt in a dance sequence. Ayesha should also lose that fringe fast, it makes her look chubby.
However the styling disaster of recent weeks, would undoubtedly be Bobby Deol in Shakalaka Boom Boom - that red jacket he wore in a song sequence was a major costume blunder, not to mention the curly top!
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Hema Malini joins board of directors at PNC
