Indian women to hold silken fashion show

JAKARTA (JP): The fusion of Indonesian, Indian and western ideas will be the theme of a fashion show tomorrow night commemorating India's 50th anniversary of independence.

Anila Subrahmanyam, who is promoting the event on behalf of the Indian Women's Association, said yesterday that Indonesian and Indian models would grace the catwalk at the Sahid Jaya hotel in Indian silk.

Some will be in original Indian designs and others in designs of one of Indonesia's fashion icons, Ghea Panggabean.

"I create my own garments from my own designs normally. This time I have selected the Indian garments and designed them into wearable clothes," Ghea said.

"These outfits will definitely suit Indonesian women because I have fused Indian, and Indonesian-western concepts," she said.

"There are the patola and orissa ikat designs and gold zardosi embroidery. There are just so many beautiful ways to wear silk," added Ghea.

Anila said: "The patolas of Gujrat are similar to the ikats of Indonesia."

Another aspect of the evening will be the launch of Saree Sutra, a coffee-table book written jointly by Pavan Kapoor and Anila on Indian and Indonesian silk, and wearable designs from it.

The volume was inspired by the wife of the Indian ambassador to Indonesia, Hema Devare.

Anila said that the evening's program, called A Legend of India -- An Evening with Indian Silk, would focus on embroidered and woven silk.

Many dignitaries are expected among the invited guests. Proceeds will go to charities involving the chairman of the National Family Planning Board, Haryono Suyono. (02)