Bibhu Mohapatra: 2/17/11

17.2.11

When he knew he wanted to be a designer: At age 13

BIBHU MOHAPATRA

February 15, 2011 - 10:28am — BSTV Team

Occupation:

Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur

Home:

NYC; hails from Orissa, India

First thing he consumes in the a.m.: The news. “I read theNY Times on my iPhone while in bed.”

How he stays fit:  Stays physically fit by running, walking and doing yoga, and keeps mentally fit by escaping to the country on weekends to cook and read

Wearing: Vintage pea coat; Albertelli cashmere scarf; Targett-shirt; Pepe jeans

Personal style: Tough-smart

When he knew he wanted to be a designer: At age 13

If he weren’t a designer, what he’d be: An architect

Other designers he admires: Azzedine Alaia, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh

Advice he’d give to anyone entering his field:  “Strike the balance between art and commerce, creativity and practicality.”

Advice on how you can dress your best:  “Peek into yourself and there lies the clues.”

Wardrobe essentials: “Tailored crisp white shirts, tailored jacket and slim-fit raw denim.”

Favorite item in his current collection: The "Date" dress

What he'd never be caught dead wearing: A wig—“unless I’m at a costume ball.”

Cheap thrill: Wes Craven movie marathon

Worth the splurge: A pair of handmade boots from a favorite Florentine shoemaker and the finest cologne

Signature scent: Terre D'Hermes

Always in his bag: A sketch book

Fave eateries: Cafe Luxembourg, Freemans, Bar Boulud, and Flor de Mayo “for the best roast chicken in the whole world."

Top online shop: Amazon

Fave real-world shops: Bergdorf Goodman in NYC and Harvey Nichols and Browns in London

Book that's bedside now: The Crucible by Arthur Miller

All-time fave travel destination: Yalikavak, on the Aegean coast of Turkey

How he's reducing his carbon footprint: Bicycling to work and walking a lot

Charities he supports:  The Komen Foundation, Breakthrough, and New Yorkers for Children

Photo by Bruno Gaget

Bibhu Mohapatra Fall2011

THE EMPERORS OLD CLOTHES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Bibhu Mohapatra Fall2011

This collection which took place a couple of days ago at the Box of Lincoln Center was packed to the roof with heavies. All the top stores led by Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo were jostling through the crush to get a closer look. There were looks for day and evening all cleverly woven together on a central platform. Periodically the models would shift position so that ones that were sitting would walk then stand and vice versa. In this way you saw the clothes move and shift position which showed the collection's cohesion. Everything was rich in detail. Fur combined with leather over sleek trousers and sexy blouses along with great coats over dresses for day. The mood became more complex for evening with dresses and gowns that were almost cubist in their construction. From one angle some were all artful draping and then from another angle they possessed a series of shifting planes. They looked architectural with a marriage of the solid with the liquid.

Bibhu is one of the few designers who never settles for an easy solution. His interests lie in the studied and complex nature of design. I admire his commitment and the fact that he's hands on. You can see clearly the love and effort that goes into the creation of his collections. Too few designers today roll up their sleeves and do the actual work.

Fall 2011 Bibhu Mohapatra RTW slide show

Bibhu Mohapatra Fall 2011 rtw

After a decade designing for J. Mendel and Halston, India- born Mohapatra introduced his first collection two years ago. Now his skillfully draped gowns and elegant dresses hang at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, at prices ranging from $1,700 to $5,000. Last month he received one of the $25,000 awards that Italian winemaker Ecco Domani gives to seven fashion designers each year.

Bibhu Mohapatra F/W 2011

by NICOLE

Inspired by Author Miller’s classic play, The Crucible, Bibhu Mohapatra really created something magical. Theatrical smoke filled the room and Mozart played in the background as guests entered to view the presentation. Drawing inspiration from the time of the Salem witch trials, the Fall/Winter 2011 presentation was dark and elegant. This collection featured touches of crows feathers, lace, silk, embossed leather and fur.

The Fall 2011 palette featured (of course) black as well as olive and antique gold. Several pieces had fur detailing on the sleeves and jacket collars and most of the models wore leather gloves and/or chokers. I must say that the collection was quite impressive and one of the best that I’ve seen so far this fashion week. I’m sure that PETA will not be happy with the heavy usage of fur but this collection is enough to make any fashionistas’ heart sing. Bravo.