This was my first trip to Kolkata and what a trip it was! Last week, designer Shantanu Goenka invited us to his couture exhibition in the city. Now, I love it when designers express their creative flow, apart from the usual runway and trade fair space. It was a fine evening that presented fashion, art and scrumptious notes of Kolkata’s culinary delights. Yes. I have been touched with the city’s energy. Now here’s a look at the event through my eyes.
My Style Pad For The Stay
Team Shantanu Goenka planned the experience to the top. As I checked into my room at The Park, Kolkata, I was greeted by this note and a box of sweets. Which I saved for my flight back to Mumbai for obvious reasons.
The fairy tales that graced each room
The exhibition was rightly called ‘Fashionising Fairy Tales’. I was informed that the installations were going to knock the socks off my feet and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Shantanu believes that fantasy in fairy tales and fashion share a similar narrative. There was a classic whimsical theme set up from scratch in every room. Classics like The Frog Prince, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty And The Beast came to life in Goenka’s gorgeous summer couture looks and in details that were picture perfect!
And now, I take you deeper into the collection. Through the installations, we saw a summery palette of lilac, old rose, butter yellow and pale blue. No couture exhibition is complete without talking about the details. Shantanu surely showcased his expertise in embroideries and techniques in lace, zardosi, resham, gota-work and embellishments in pearls and Swarovski crystals.
And our taste buds were tickled too!
Bless Shantanu for putting together an evening that delighted all our senses. After the music at the venue and the visuals of the installation, he then rolled out the Bengali feast. That too, after he treated us to bite-size cheese pav–bhaji served fondue style among other yummy hors d’oeuvres.
We were all seated on the roof of the the 85 Lansdowne under the stars for a candle lit sit-down dinner. In true Kolkata style, a 4 course meal stuffed us to the brim and the evening was blissfully finished with the sweet taste of tiramisu mishthi doi!
Thanks to Shantanu Goenka and his fabulous team for hosting us! It was a fine evening of art, fashion and story-telling over champagne and a feast for a king. I have to mention Swaroop Dutta, the man and mind behind the beautiful sets. I bumped into him as I exited the venue and had to take a picture!
My fun didn’t end here. I turned this trip into our MissMalini‘s Fashion Tour of Kolkata! But I’ll give you a taste of that soon! So stayed tuned.