Fashion at a glance!

I wouldn't call myself a 'pure' journalist but being a part of Times of India, I have written for the Sunday supplement, timesofindia.com website and even covered media events as part of my profile. Am writing this post to update you on an experience - that of covering fashion shows!

To the 'unexposed', fashion shows are like the most exclusive, big-league events one is invited to where city's hoity toity are put on ample display! I felt the same till about an year or two ago. That was the time when I had written about everything from health, fitness to relationships but fashion was one untouched topic. Not because I had no sense of fashion, but because for me fashion always meant dressing up smartly and judging (read 'rating') what others wore (done in a personal, not professional capacity in consultation with friends and colleagues) ... So when my editor coaxed me to apply for the Wills India Fashion Week, I was full of mixed emotions. I could never make out cotton from silk and didn't know what silhouette or fashion inspiration actually meant. I could only tell if something was looking good or otherwise! So this was how I got pushed into the fashion world. I debated with my colleagues at end how I despise this 'opportunity' and want to cover as less shows as possible but since we were three responsible for the event, we had to divide equally. So on the second day of WIFW, I reached Pragati Maidan, Gate No 2. I was ferried to the venue in a WIFW cab.

I was modestly dressed for the occasion because I didn't want to look too excited. BUT my heart was beating hard. OMG! I was soon going to witness a FASHION SHOW! I entered the venue with a badge that read- Kalpana Sharma, journalist, Times Life and I started looking around blankly. No known faces... and then spotted a colleague whom I would never have otherwise even smiled at, but given the desperation that I was in, I inched towards her and tried to be a part of the group she was talking to. She introduced me to the lot- one a fashion journo from Mumbai, another a photographer who seemed gay. Anyways the show was delayed and I managed to not feel lost in the crowd. People there looked every bit stylish. So much so that even some serious journos could be mistaken as models or socialites.

Then it was time to enter the hall. We made a grand entry from the 'Media' side of the hall. Feeling lost I asked my colleague to help me find a seat since I was coming for the first time. She showed me the rows and we sat in the second row next to each other. Shortly other guests started to pour in- most of the P3 crowd, others PYTs.

The ramp and the theme looked absolutely stunning! I was never even an FTV fan so this scene was quite new for me. (I'd seen few casual ramp shows before at PCs but this was a real ramp show!) Once everyone settled down, the lights went off and came the first model on the ramp. She was striding like a fish, effortless yet chic. Other models followed. More than their dresses, I was in awe of the girls. Every girl had her unique style and walked with utmost confidence. In like 15-20 minutes, the show ended. YIPPEE I was a part of the fashion world now! I felt super excited and called up every close friend to narrate my experience-- barring few-- I didn't want everyone to know what a big deal it was for me. I rushed back to work to file the report. My colleagues asked me about the show and I narrated it in the most 'casual' style. I didn't want to look AFFECTED!! Haha!

My first WIFW was great fun but what followed was not. I was over my fashion fixation the first day itself. The fever didn't last long. Undoubtedly you should witness it once in a lifetime but it was nothing to hang on to. I have seen my colleagues waiting for fashion shows to happen but I didn't belong there! Infact, later on as the dates of the show were announced, my heart would start to sink.. I can't be pancaked or flying kisses in the air. That's JUST NOT ME! So I was back to writing on health and relationships-- HAPPILY SO!