Chennai-based fashion designer Geetha Solaraj, creative director at Crimson House of Style, seems aware of what fashionistas in the city like wearing. Best known for having dressed celebrities such as Priya Anand, AR Rahman, Sudha Raghunathan and Radikaa Sarathkumar, Geetha takes her ability to mix and match colours to a whole new level with this collection. The colours in her dresses have a surreal quality to them. The designer, who recently unveiled her spring/ summer 2012 and resort collection in the city caught the attention of many fashion-conscious Chennai women. The collection is elegant and individualistic with an interplay of various forms and qualities such as tulip-shaped silhouettes, which define the collection. Draped, loose tops are combined with narrow-cut trousers. “I don’t follow trends, but I predict them. Of course, you will not find the colour of the season, orange, in my collection, as I had predicted this colour last year. A few of my designs had it back then. However, this time, my collection is subtle and can be worn by women of any age and size,” she says.With an eye for a wide range of fabrics, Solaraj has used high quality natural fibres such as jute silk, cotton, linen and chiffon. These, combined with velvet and suede materials and a hint of metallic lustre, complete her collection. The quality of her collection is also enhanced by unique cutwork, accentuated with Ikat weaves replicated through hand embroidery. “I love to travel, and when I do, I shop quite a bit,” explains Solaraj. Most of the fabrics that I introduce in my collection are imported. The quality of fabric is better in Dubai and London. I try to bring a variety to my clothes.” Inspired by nature and everything else around her, Solaraj loves to experiment with designs and fabric through patchwork. “I do like patchwork in my collection. In fact, in my previous spring/summer collection, I used multiple fabrics stitched together to make an ensemble. I like to keep my clothes scattered. However, this year, I have limited myself that way.” The vintage look is the key this season and the designer has meticulously embraced it. Softly-flowing dresses and cocktail dresses that delicately trace the female body, 60s inspired knee-length dresses combined with brilliantly-cut dinner-jackets in linen are some of the picks of the collection. The highlight of the ensemble is an offbeat maxi gown made in ruffled fabric and satin, which has been sourced from London.Solaraj is a woman of many talents. Apart from designing her own label, she is also passionate about illustration that is part of the creative process of this collection. As a tip to conquer Chennai’s summer, she offers, “Breezy gowns in pastel tones or flowy chiffon fabrics teamed with leggings.”
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