PARIS FASHION WEEK : SPRING SUMMER 2011 : MANISH ARORA

                                                                                            

 With structured shapes contorting the natural silhouette, bright, bold colours, dazziling embellishment and body armour, it’s easy to see why pop’s most colourful starlets turn to Manish Arora for a show stopping outfit, on and off the stage.

Transporting some of his structured shoulders, silhouettes and circle embellishment from his previous collection, the models marched down the catwalk looking like beautifully dressed futuristic, Amazonian warriors. Colours were more neon and clashing than the previous seasons muted shades, with orange, yellow and aqua being the main colour palette. Dresses rained supreme, and were teamed with knee high socks, that gave the outfits a softer, more playful feel. Futuristic ‘Croydon ponytails’, gold body and face armour complemented the dresses and the ‘pretty/tough’ aesthetic.

The Indian designer does not simply hold a catwalk show - he creates an entire fantasy world. His spring/summer 2011 collection was a case in point.
Held in the Salle Wagram, once a famous Parisian boxing arena, the show featured extraordinary beading, multicoloured patterns in Krishna blue and temple gold, shoes encrusted with flowers and gilded straps which wound round the legs like a python, and a series of crystal dresses and separates inspired by the 1960s Miami art of Hiroshi Nagai, with beaded hats shaped like the gas-guzzling cars of the era.
The spectacle played out to the most bizarre music - a drummer and guitarist, accompanied by the musician and composer, Marc Chouarain, playing the theremin, a weird electronic instrument which works on a magnetic field and produces a wild, wailing whistle as hands are wafted, waved or juggled over it.
Extraordinarily, this trio pounded through a bizarre medley of the Peter Gunn theme, Paint it Black , a few James Bond soundtracks and a thundering Led Zeppelin single, as the models dazzled in LED circuitry and crystals.[thanks to style.com,self service,telegraph uk]