Manish Arora used the term "futuristic baroque" to describe his Spring collection. But considering the over-the-top, Ladies Who Gaga clothes shown today, perhaps the slightly riper era of rococo would be more appropriate. It was a time when artists really let their freak flags fly, as the Mumbai-born Arora is often known to do.
As for the futuristic part, Arora provided a base of candy-bright colors in latex leggings and streamlined color-blocked clothes for his oversized appliqués, and big shiny flourishes of gold horns that wrapped around legs and shoulders. With peplums shaped like taillights and contrast-hued flanges on skirts, models looked like race cars built for the Mumbai 500, clearly an event where you re rated on style as much as speed. It s probably not a coincidence that Arora collaborated with wacky milliner Christophe Coppens for hats formed into toy cars.
Coming after the above, the show s finale of sequined dresses and suits with postcard motifs was relatively serene. Perhaps it was Arora s way of saying he wishes you were here on this strange trip with him—it certainly looks like a fun journey.
