Catwalk with the Couturier

Photo: Copyright 2011 © Yemisi Blake

Meera Ali kicked off the inauguration of Alchemy with Calligraphy In Motion. Throughout the last 21 years Meera and Muzaffar Ali have immersed themselves with different aspects of Sufism and have found innovative ways of reviving the traditional craft of the Kotwara region in North India. This historical and cultural hub is what spurred Muzaffar Ali to make his film Umrao Jaan  and Meera Ali’s designs which were exhibited yesterday.

Being backstage at all the rehearsals and fittings I got the inside scoop on what really makes those pretty faces look glam on the real day. On the contrary the models actually came for their first rehearsal on the day of the show but grasped the concept of what Meera was trying to portray through her designs really quickly.

The models were showcasing Meera’s collection next to very graceful and hardworking Kathak dancers. These dancers the students of the world-renowned Kathak dancer Gauri Sharma Tripathi who also happens to be my Kathak teacher. The dancers diligently showed up to rehearsal and worked with Meera to choreograph the background dance.

The dance consisted of twirls and salami (Mughal form of salutation,) this gave an eerie feel in to the show but in the real show proved effective. We were a bit confused tin the beginning why the dancers were such a vital part. We then discovered, as the show was Calligraphy In Motion the dancers sustained the movement and emphasized the flow of the Sufi script.

The collection that was being modelled ranged from vibrant blues and greens with the Sufi script intermixed showing in only a couple of places to long black coats embroidered with flowers lining the coats at the bottom. The dancers were wearing black and white angarkhas, which flowed freely to the ankles, which was collected at the back and clipped up with a button.

The fashion show was amazing because its inspiring to see how you can take any culture’s written word and use that to influence any aspect of your life, in this case fashion.

by Anjali Banerjee, Alchemist