Kiran Gidwani

“Victoria Beckham, George Clooney, Amitabh Bachchan and Preity Zinta are some always well dressed celebrities” – Kiran Gidwani

Kiran Gidwani is a fashionista ahead of her time. After graduating from B.D. Somani, where she earned her fashion degree, the young and innovative designer successfully opened two stores, Istana and Kiran Designs, in the fashion hub of India, Mumbai. For the last decade, the Gidwani has been designing, consulting and merchandising for her impressive clientele consisting of socialites and film personalities all over the world. While fusion-wear is her forte, she is well-known for her traditional styles too. Her exhibitions, featured in major cities including Hong Kong, Dubai, New York, and London, have received rave reviews. Kiran speaks to Roshni Magazine about upcoming designs, fashion-wear for the upcoming season and how to beat recession blues while staying fashionable.

How did you get interested in fashion designing?
As a child, I always loved to dress up and play around with my clothes innovatively to create drapes and silhouettes with fabrics and accessories; putting them together. I would arrange fashion shows with my friends! Since then I knew I wanted to become a fashion designer and of course colors of nature, like that on colorful butterflies, fish fascinated me and I would love to use similar appliqués them on the garments I created. Besides when I would travel as a child, I would go to as many malls and shopping arcades to admire styles, colors, and cuts. Fortunately for me, my mother was already in this line and helped me pursuit my own label and then my own stores.

What are some styles that never go out of fashion?
The straight cuts in kurtas are evergreen. Sarees are our national costume and will always remain in style. In embroideries, the resham work (thread work) makes a style statement and will always be in vogue. In terms of colors, black and white are colors that will be in fashion forever.

When should one wear Indo-Western and when should one go for a more Indian style?
Fashion is about breaking the rules and setting your own trends so there is no such rule as to wear a certain type of garment at a certain occasion. But then again, if you'd like to play safe then one could follow the dress code of the event which would be stated on the invite as traditional or fusion.

What about men? What is a good fashion statement?
Most men prefer to play safe and wear the usual black or white color pallets, but a man would definitely stand out if he experimented with colors like pink, shades of green, or orange. Also men underestimate the importance of accessories, keeping all the focus on what they wear only. A good pair of shoes, smart belt, nice wallet, sunglasses and watch definitely go a long way, to make a strong fashion statement on a man.

What is going to be in-style this spring and summer? Styles?
One shoulder off tops and dresses are going to rule the runways.

Colors?
Colors of the season are emerald blue, shades of green, mauve, lilac and brown

Materials?
Velvet, lamays are the in materials for the season; embroideries are leather patch work and velvet appliqués.

Accessories?
Chunky and big is the flavor of the season. Bling is back with a bang

How should one incorporate accessories correctly so it doesn’t clash with their clothes?
Keep it minimal if the clothes are heavy or have a lot of embroidery or bling whereas a simple garment can be dressed up with chunky accessories.

Keeping the recession in mind, how can one shop correctly and budget their clothes?
Buy what you need and the key is to mix and match what you buy so it looks like different an outfit every time you wear it! Putting things together is an art and if conquered, can save you some bucks. It is important to spend on basics which can be re-used often, such as a pair of well fitted jeans, a crisp white shirt, or a black cocktail dress. But it’s not necessary to spend much on things that you'll barely use such as a pair of purple shoes, or an orange bag. Often we indulge in retail therapy, and impulsive shopping which should be avoided, especially in a time of recession. Budgeting is very important. Buy what you can afford or you'll end up with huge credit card bills you don’t want at the end of the month!

What should someone wear to a Sangeet? Wedding?
For variety and for it to be easier for one to dance around at a sangeet it would be better to wear a churidar kurta, rather then a sari and to a wedding reception a sari or a long gown would look elegant for women. For men a churidar kurta is ideal and one could do with a sherwani or a blazer at a wedding reception

Who are some always well dressed celebrities?
According to me Victoria Beckham, George Clooney, Amitabh Bachchan and Preity Zinta are some always well dressed celebrities.

How can someone get in touch with you?
Kiran Gidwani designs are available at A.G.Collections and Istana.I work on appointment and one can fix an appointment with me in order to customize clothes for them at either stores or via email kirangid@hotmail.com. I also have a Facebook group: “Kiran Gidwani Designs” through which I can be contacted.

~ Roshni M.
(June 2009)