Nandita Basu’s work is essentially an expression of her inner self. She uses it to channelise her deep-seated indignation against all that’s wrong with our society.

Thus, her collection this year simultaneously evokes a sense of sensitivity, anger and quiet but determined rebellion against the evil in the world. She uses her understanding of texture and surface ornamentation to communicate her annoyance in a collection that comprises of fantastic jackets, sexy pants and skirts, and thought provoking T-shirts.

Basu creates jackets of all sizes and shapes - lean jackets, bomber jackets, sleeveless vest-jackets, and dress coats - with exquisite seam detailing in toned colors. She expertly manipulates leather into exquisite paper cutwork patterns - like strips of a Chinese lantern, eyelets and floral patterns, besides using unhampered suede shapes as blouses. The pants were mostly track bottoms with tie-ups and knit cuffs at the hem, and sporty strips along the side seam length.

Her skirts created quite a furore - in sexy slim shapes, trimmed with leather and quilted panels, and a feast for the eyes in vibrant colours like mango green, orange and tomato red. Her seductively fitted one-piece dresses in ivory were also in the same league.

The star pieces of her collection were her T-shirts, which were used as canvas to express her reaction to society’s evils, be it riots, corruption or brutality. The prints of people involved as well as the newsprint like text struck a chord with everyone.

Also eye-catching was the way that Basu accessorized her collection with vibrant and amusing footwear- patent leather sport shoes with pencil heels, canvas shoes made into ankle-tie shoes and winkle pickers.

This was truly a collection for the thinking, proactive woman of today.

India Syndicate