Thursday, July 14, 2016

INDIA FANTASTIQUE FASHION by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosia






    Words cannot possibly describe the beauty and craftsmanship to be found in this lush volume showcasing the genius of Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosia.  Their partnership of over a quarter of a century includes designing for India’s leading celebrities, creating costumes for epic films, and dressing such stars as Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.  As has been said “Theirs is a brand synonymous with luxury, artistry and tradition.

    Their work is known throughout the world as one that blends India’s ancient cultural heritage with their unique contemporary design.  It is unlike any other and truly must be seen to appreciate.  The pair first met in 1986 when Jani worked 12 hour shifts in a garage creating Bollywood outfits and Khosla studied art at home with his mother and at school.  It was a serendipitous meeting and the two soon opened a small boutique in Mumbai called Mata Hari which soon became a favorite of those in the film industry.  Later they brought the cream of traditional Indian crafts to high fashion.

    This dazzling volume boasts 422 illustrations which capture the eye and stir imaginations.  The text is by Gayatri Sinha, a respected art critic and curator based in New Delhi.  In demand as a lecturer on Indian art she has spoken throughout the world at such auspicious venues as the Centre Pompidou, Tate Modern, National Museum of India and the Japan Foundation.  One would want to frame the photography by Ram Shergill whose work has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Tatler and other celebrated publications.  For this reader his camera caught not only beautiful images but brought my eye to details I might have otherwise overlooked.

    India Fantastique Fashion has been described as a lavish design extravaganza it is that and more.  It was shot in some of our world’s most exotic locations including Death Valley and Las Vegas , London, Bath, Brighton, Jaipur and Morocco.   It is a volume you will return to again and again, each time catching something new as once more you admire the artistry so vividly displayed.

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