BANGALORE: Freedom comes in many forms. While the society dictates the limitations of this freedom, a few know how to bend the mould with what is called variation. Fashion is one such mould breaker as skilled designers ‘stitch around the bush’ to end the run of routine.Arya John, a Delhi based designer was recently in the city to launch the Spring Summer 2011 collection by Eleven.Eleven and also to give Bangalore’s fashioniastas a solid dose of the much needed funk, punk and strong and edgy asymmetrical silhouettes. Representing her design studio called Celldesign, the designer brought along strong colours and bold lines which were inspired by a piece choreographed by the legendary Pina Bausch.Elaborating on the theme, John says that Cafe Muller left a strong impression on all the designers of the team. “The performance is a journey of a cafe and all the people who visit it. The execution of the modern dance piece is overwhelming and fills you with emotion. We have tried to bring out a similar emotion through the garments,” she says. Adding to that she also emphasises that the label’s name was no coincidence. “Repetitive numbers and figures not only catch the eye, it also leaves an impression. Hence the name 11.11. Cafe Muller had a similar repetitive theme to it as well, which is why it clicked with us so well,” reveals John.Though the colour palette was a tad restricted with flaming reds, flamingo pinks, turquoise, deep purples, ice and pollen yellow, the team efficiently combined the six colours with graceful yet out of the box styles and techniques of drapes, using silk crepes, gossamer cottons silks and satin lycra. Colour blocking (the use of a combination of two dynamic colours together) and ruching (a technique of creating gathers) were infused seamlessly into the garments. Sharp lines and trails that seemed to have no end or beginning defined the outfits. “Exploring unresolved feelings that are floating and continuous without an end or a beginning is what we have tried to achieve with our collection. The garments have been designed in such a way that not only do they appear to float freely around the body, but also gives the viewer a visual illusion,” says John.While most outfits are created with just the drapes, thee collection is not completely void of embellishments, there are a couple of garments that could be spotted with raw and unfinished embroidery that gives the contemporary garment an earthy look. “Every garment has its own language and so does every fabric. We like playing with the fabric’s nature rather than dousing it in embellishments,” says John, explaining the minimal use of embellishments on their collection. Speaking of fabrics that the designers have used so far, John says that they are not specifically partial to solids and they have used prints in the past as well. “In our last collection we used a lot of Ikat. One of the reasons for the extensive use of Ikat was because of the intensity and richness that the fabric possess. There is no fabric like Ikat,” she informs.Though a first timer to the city, John feels that there is a great market for 11.11’s designs and style. “The people here are not scared to experiment with their look. That said, most of my clients were mature women who knew their mind and wanted to stand apart from the crowd,” adds John. On display are tunics, jackets, dresses and handcrafted clutches and Ipad bags that can be customised. The collection is available at The Verandah on Haudin Road.
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