Gala for the trend-conscious

A Rajdeep Ranawat creation

MODISTA presents a buzzing platform where design and inspiration meet twice every year

Published: Sun 1 Oct 2017, 4:06 PM

Updated: Sun 1 Oct 2017, 6:26 PM

By
Farhana Chowdhury

Dubai, with its vibrant community and versatile charms, has grown to become an international platform where some of the most the hippest and happening trends take place. It comes as no surprise that the city would eventually become a hotspot for fashionistas across the globe to discover the latest in luxury apparel and aesthetics.
Leading with glitz and glamour on the ramp is MODISTA, established in 2013 by like-minded fashion enthusiasts and partners Anurradha Agaarwal and Jyoti Karmali. It brings fashion designers together in a bi-annual gala and promises trendseekers and trendsetters an exhilarating dose of fun and retail therapy. It plays host to the latest fads in hair, nail and skin care, clothes, shoes and bags inspired by the latest collections in Paris and Milan, alongside designer jewellery pieces - both precious and faux.

"Our concept has grown to become an eagerly anticipated and popular event, with chic ensembles from celebrity fashion designers, positioning it as an unparalleled full-day experiential for Dubai, complete with celebrity glamour, fashion shows, tarot readers, foot and spas and glitzy media photo opportunities!" Jyoti Karmali, CEO and partner of MODISTA, told dxbuzz.

MODISTA is a strong believer in giving back to the community, and extends a helping hand to local charities and initiatives, such as the Special Needs Future Development Centre (SNF) and Helping Hand for Relief and Development in Dubai, and the Ismailia Helping Society in Mumbai.

To date, MODISTA has successfully hosted 18 editions of its event in Dubai (UAE) and Mumbai (India).
"An event of this calibre has lots of different elements which have to be put together to bring the show to life, and this is not possible without the support of a lot of people. Success is not just about money earned, but it is also about how many hearts you have touched," she added.
Professional designers are MODISTA's primary focus, where it opens up opportunities to display their latest creativity and craftsmanship, but the fashion hub also extends a hand to novel, aspiring candidates.
"We definitely try and give a place to budding designers, whenever they have approached us, and we give our full support in every way possible. The designers mix is a great amalgamation of new and old with every edition. We sincerely strive to get new talent in our event and are constantly increasing our shopper's base by adding collections for men and kids, so that shoppers are bound to find some great deals for the entire family. There have been a lot of designers who were given MODISTA as a platform to launch their brands here in Dubai, and today, they are full-fledged designers," she added.
MODISTA works aggressively to represent both professionals and new talent on social media for high exposure and creates brand awareness in the city. Its recent glitzy showcase featured chic fabrics, floral patterns, glamour and fresh cuts, paired with mix and match options and accessories.
"We also featured ensembles from celebrity designers like Rajdeep Ranawat, Riddhi Mehra, Aastha Narang, Anushree Reddy, Yogesh Chaudhary, Arpita Mehta, Rahul & Anushka, and Preeti Singhal, among others, with fashion shows on September 15 and 16, and a grand finale curated by Randeep Ranawat," she said.
Seven trends to watch out for:
- Tassels and bobbles with tube work
- Velvet work and feathers
- Weaving concepts that designers are currently experimenting with; and garments that are less flowy and more structured
- Dark colours like deep wine and dark blue with fall and winter season just around the corner, and 100 shades of grey
- Sari with a modern twist, including fun blouses with belts, and even pants!

Get connected
www.facebook.com/ModistaDubai
Instagram: @modistadxb

- farhana@khaleejtimes.com