Very beautiful Residence - Cape Town, South Africa

We Love this house!

Melissa George in Bibhu Mohapatra attends the 2010 One Frickin Day charity event at Christie's in New York City.

Melissa George In Bibhu Mohapatra
Spring 2011 cocktail dress at the 
One Frickin Day's Charity Buzz kick-off event


"I had a few moments with Bibhu Mohapatra. A J. Mendel dress crafted under his direction, and worn by Heidi Klum to the 2006 CFDA Awards, is up for bid." - Alex Geana

freelance photographer, writer

Hillary Swank in Bibhu Mohapatra trench coat in People Magazine

Bibhu Spring 2011 Video by MetroVelvet

Bibhu Mohapatra spring 2011 from Metro Velvet on Vimeo.

Video Of Fashion, Bibhu Mohapatra Spring 2011

Interview with Bibhu On Avs TV during his spring 2011 show

"Making It' at New York Fashion Week" -Huffington Post

CLOSETTOUR Webisode 3: Making It from Jenni Avins on Vimeo.

by Jenni Avins

Finding the WONDER in wondering what to wear

"As always at New York Fashion Week, there's been a lot of talk about our city's role in the industry -- now changing as quickly as you can say "fast fashion." The consensus seems to be that while Paris may be forever more refined, New York is the place for young designers to get their start.

"It's just very entrepreneurial," said Julie Gilhart, Barneys Fashion Director, "and that's what's so great about New York, is you too can be that."

Jenni talks with Julie Gilhart, Bibhu Mohapatra, and Ari Magallanes about the garment industry in New York

Bibhu Mohapatra: Playful Elegance with a Retro Spin-NBCNewYork

BIBHU MOHAPATRA, FASHION WEEK, SPRING 2011

Bibhu Mohapatra: Playful Elegance with a Retro Spin

BUZZ UP!

3retweet

Catherine Blair Pfander

Bibhu Mohapatra, who claims he got his start in fashion sewing clothes for his sister inIndia, has that rare talent of designing clothes that women don't just appreciate, but really, desperately want to wear. Less concerned with obscure design references and high concepts than with timeless beauty and immaculate detailing, Bibhu's clothes are reliably gorgeous, yet relevant to a modern woman. If the line wrapping around Lincoln Center was any indication, Bibhu has truly found his fanbase this season.

For Spring 2011, Bibhu put a swingin' 60's spin on classic dresses and separates by adding giant, white-rimmed sunglasses and colorful mod newsboy caps. But there was something charmingly retro about some of the garments themselves: an amethyst satin cocktail dress featured large, bubble-like inlays,  and a smock-like trench in crisp white could have been swiped from a Jackie O exhibit at the Kennedy Center. Likewise, a balloon-sleeve minidress in silk chiffon looked like it was imagined with Twiggy in mind.

The inky watercolor print featured on some of the evening gowns and cocktail dresses felt feminine but still fresh, and with crisp origami folds wrap-around leather belts, would be perfectly suited to a chic work setting. 

BY CATHERINE BLAIR PFANDER // 3 HOURS AGO

BIBHU MOHAPATRA SPRING 2011, MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK NEW YORK

Designer Profile: Bibhu Mohapatra | ANOKHI Magazine | Fashion, Lifestyle & Entertainment – North America's Longest Running Quarterly Magazine About South Asian Pop Culture

Designer Profile: Bibhu Mohapatra | ANOKHI Magazine | Fashion, Lifestyle & Entertainment – North America's Longest Running Quarterly Magazine About South Asian Pop Culture

Bibhu Mohapatra Profile In Elle, Russia with Model Sophie Becker

Nine Designers to Watch This Fashion Week -

Nine Designers to Watch This Fashion Week --NYmag

Bibhu Mohapatra

WHO HE IS: A designer long overdue for a little attention. Though Mohapatra, 37, worked for Halston and French furrier Gilles Mendel befpre taking over as design director of J.Mendel, counts Bergdorf Goodman among his distributors, and was accepted into the inaugural Council of Fashion Directors of America Fashion Incubator program earlier this year, he still hasn't gotten his runway due. This season — his fourth go with a womenswear collection under his own name — may change that.

WHY WE LIKE HIM: Mohapatra’s clothes are sculpted from lavish fabrics and beadwork is often hand-stitched. The garments are sophisticated, but with sexy, modern touches like sheer panels and thigh-baring slashes. “My client doesn’t just care about her appearance,” says Mohapatra. “She cares how her clothes are made. She respects the craft.”

SHOW INFO: 9/14 at 1:30 p.m. at the Box at Lincoln Center.

Bibhu Mohapatra 2011 Spring Collection, The Box, Lincoln Center,

Bibhu Mohapatra

"I can't wait to see the Bibhu 2011 Spring Collection
September 14, 2010
Lincoln Center"
--Gnocco

Meet my Model for Fashion's Night Out @Bergdorfs

Meet the famous Gnocco, my cross dressing model for

Fashion's Night Out 

On 4th Floor at Bergdorf Goodman

September 10, 2010

Come to Bergdorf Goodman's 4th floor 

and see the gown I am creating for the handsome Gnocco

Hope to see you there

--Bibhu

Bibhu Mohapatra at CFDA Fashion Incubator on Designer Social TV

DesignerSocialTV 

We took a moment with designer Bibhu Mohapatra, and got to check out his new workspace and showroom at the CFDA Fashion Incubator, ogle his Fall 2010 Collection, and fall in love with a beyond beautiful wedding dress from Spring 2010.

http://designersocial.tumblr.com 

A Star on the NY Fashion Scene

Katie Cassidy wears Bibhu Mohapatra Gown on Gossip Girls episode

Katie Cassidy and Chance Crawford

Woman of Style: Miuccia Prada recommends Bibhu in More Magazine

Woman of Style: Miuccia Prada

by Susan Swimmer 

A style icon for more than 30 years, Miuccia Prada long ago designed her own uniform: luxe skirts paired with classic tops, statement shoes and just the right amount of sparkle

Dressed-Up Utilitarian

Prada employs elements of military uniforms in her collections, termed “everyday industrial” looks by fashion insiders. Canvas fabrication, menswear-inspired outerwear and boxy shoulders are mainstays.

Bibhu Mohapatra woven paper coat, $2,200; bibhu.com for stores

White + Warren cashmere cardigan, $220; whiteandwarren.com

Burberry London silk skirt, $395;burberry.com

12 Designers To Watch: InStyle Visits Bibhu at The CFDA Incubator

12 Designers To Watch 
InStyle


Bibhu
Indian-born designer Bibhu Mohapatra worked for Halston and J. Mendel before launching his namesake line in 2008; he creates custom couture gowns, cocktail dresses, and furs from his Incubator space. "It's the perfect environment and support to further develop my brand, my business, and my reach into the luxury market," he says. "And what a heavenly, polite, and fun group of designers to work around! I love answering when my friend Waris shouts tome from down the hall. I've made some good, lifelong friends. There's positive energy here, and being here has made a huge difference in our productivity," he says. You can see the results online at Bibhu.com or in stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

Bibhu Mohapatra under Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week umbrella at Lincoln Center on September 14, 2010

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Releases Tentative Spring 2011 Catwalk Schedule 

NEW YORK, Aug 4, 2010 / FW/ — The Spring 2011 womenswear season heats up with the release of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week preliminary schedule featuring 90 established and emerging designers who will unveil their Spring 2011 collections.

Slated on September 9 – 16, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week celebrates its first season at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park. This also marks the return of Betsey Johnson, Bibhu Mohapatra, Bill Blass, Buckler, Cynthia Rowley, Derek Lam, Jenny Packham, L.A.M.B., Rosa Cha, Ruffian, VERRIER, Vivienne Tam, Zang Toi, among others under the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week umbrella.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will host three runway venues; the Theatre, Stage and Studio as well as a fourth presentation space called the Box for designer presentations, industry forums, press conferences and other activities. An asterisk (*) denotes Designer Presentation in the Box

Preliminary schedule of events:

SEPTEMBER 9, 2010

9:00 AM Nicholas K, Studio
10:00 AM Project Runway, Theatre
10:30-11:30 AM Toni Maticevski, Box*
11:00 AM Richard Chai, Stage
1:00 PM Ruffian, Studio
2:00 PM Christian Siriano, Stage
2:30-4:00 PM Bensoni, Box*
6:00 PM Farah Angsana, Studio
6:30-7:30 PM VERRIER, Box*
7:00 PM Concept Korea, Theatre
9:00 PM Richie Rich, Studio

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

9:30-10:30 AM Tadashi Shoji, Box*
10:00 AM BCBGMAXAZRIA, Theatre
11:00 AM Duckie Brown, Stage
12:00 PM Michael Angel, Studio
1:30-2:30 PM Buckler, Box*
2:00 PM EDITION Georges Chakra, Stage
3:00 PM Ports 1961, Theatre
4:00 PM Alexander Berardi, Studio
6:00-10:00 PM Fashion’s Night Out
8:00 PM Academy of Art University, Theatre

SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

10:00 AM Lacoste, Theatre
10:30-11:30 AM Binetti, Box*
11:00 AM Cynthia Rowley, Stage
1:00 PM Prabal Gurung, Studio
2:00 PM ADAM, Stage
2:30-3:30 PM Yoana Baraschi, Box*
3:00 PM Vivienne Tam, Theatre
4:00 PM Mik Cire, Studio
6:00 PM Charlotte Ronson, Stage
7:00 PM Z Spoke by Zac Posen, Theatre
9:00 PM Venexiana, Studio

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010

10:00 AM Derek Lam, Stage
10:30-11:30 AM Timo Weiland, Box*
11:00 AM Lela Rose, Studio
1:00 PM DKNY, Off-site
2:00 PM Rebecca Taylor, Studio
2:30-3:30 PM Rebecca Minkoff, Box*
3:00 PM Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Stage
4:00 PM Diane von Furstenberg, Theatre
5:00 PM Trias, Studio
6:30-7:30 PM Global Glam Collection, Box*
7:00 PM Custo Barcelona, Stage
8:00 PM Tommy Hilfiger, Theatre
9:00 PM Vassilios Kostetsos, Studio

SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

8:30-10:00 AM William Tempest, Box*
9:00 AM Jenny Packham, Studio
10:00 AM Carolina Herrera, Theatre
11:00 AM Carlos Miele, Stage
12:00 PM Diesel Black Gold, Off-site
1:00 PM Tracy Reese, Studio
2:00 PM Donna Karan Collection, Off-site
2:30-3:30 PM TONYCOHEN, Box*
3:00 PM Monique Lhuillier, Stage
4:00 PM Yeohlee, Off-site
5:00 PM Herchcovitch;Alexandre, Studio
6:00 PM Betsey Johnson, Theatre
7:00 PM Perry Ellis, Stage

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

9:00 AM Elie Tahari, Studio
9:00-10:30 AM Monique Péan, Box*
10:00 AM Badgley Mischka, Theatre
11:00 AM Vera Wang, Stage
1:00 PM Rosa Cha, Studio
1:30-3:30 PM Bibhu Mohapatra, Box*
2:00 PM Max Azria, Theatre
3:00 PM Dennis Basso, Stage
6:00 PM Luca Luca, Studio
6:30-7:30 PM Sophie Theallet, Box*
7:00 PM Tibi, Stage
8:00 PM Narciso Rodriguez, Theatre
9:00 PM Toni Francesc, Studio

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

8:30-10:00 AM Bill Blass, Box*
9:00 AM Tory Burch, Studio
10:00 AM Michael Kors, Theatre
11:00 AM Nanette Lepore, Stage
1:00 PM General Idea, Studio
1:00-2:30 PM Adrienne Vittadini, Box*
2:00 PM Gottex, Theatre
3:00 PM Milly by Michelle Smith, Stage
5:00 PM Odd Molly, Studio
6:00 PM Anna Sui, Theatre
6:30-7:30 PM Mackage, Box*
9:00 PM Zang Toi, Studio

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

10:00 AM Ralph Lauren, Skylight Studio, 275 Hudson Street
11:00 AM Ralph Lauren, Skylight Studio, 275 Hudson Street
11:30-1:00 PM Andy & Debb, Box*
12:00 PM Isaac Mizrahi, Theatre
1:00 PM Davidelfin, Studio
2:00 PM Argentina Group Show, Stage
3:00 PM Calvin Klein Collection Women’s, 205 W 39th St, Ground Floor
4:00 PM Calvin Klein Collection Women’s, 205 W 39th St, Ground Floor
6:00 PM J. Mendel, Studio
6:30-7:30 PM Rebecca Moses, Box*
7:00 PM Naeem Khan, Stage
8:00 PM L.A.M.B., Theatre
9:00 PM IVANAhelsinki, Studio

New York Fashion Week Spring 2011

D2D: Direct to Designer, Bibhu Mohapatra

Interview with Bibhu Mohapatra: Fashion’s newest star-Vogue India

VOGUE INDIA

JULY 21, 2010

Interview with Bibhu Mohapatra: Fashion’s newest fare

If there are two things Bibhu exudes, its humility and candor. Add unassuming to the mixture and it just isn’t your typical designer behavior. Bibhu Mohapatra, Orissa-born designer, FIT graduate, Assistant Designer at Halston, Design Director for nine years at J. Mendel who finally launched his own label in 2009 Fall – is all about putting personality over fashion and individualistic style over image-enhancing brand mania. From designing for the stars like Cate Blanchett, Salma Hayek and Sienna Miller to being selected as part of the CDFA Fashion Incubator program, to receiving the Young Innovator Award from the National Arts Club, Bibhu is all set to take his fashion stakes a notch higher this year. His Fall 2010 collection is another feather in his cap with In conversation with Vogue India on his visit to the office, Bibhu, in all modesty, tells us why brand India is making waves in the west and why his Fall 2010 collection is all about precision.  

 Have you met any Indian designers? Had a chance to look at the work coming out of India?

Personally I haven't met anybody, but I've seen a lot of work come out of India in the recent years. I was at Bombay Electric yesterday and I saw some great work. It's beautiful; I also make it a point to read about every new Indian designer even when I’m in New York. News travels faster, and I think the best work that has been recognized is definitely the designs of Sabyasachi and Rajesh Pratap Singh. I love nachiket actually, Very promising young designer.

The news is clear, India is on the radar.  People are very well aware of Indian designers in the west; they want to experience all that’s new out there. There's a lot of amazing talent and many new things to say.Odd choice that you have decided to launch your label in recession?

It's a little bit by design, a little bit by luck. In the last year, 500,000 new businesses have started in NYC area alone. Recession is known for entrepreneurship. At this time people have lost their jobs, or have been given the pink slip and they are more prone to take on challenges because they have nothing to lose. For me, any business or anything new that you start, you need some amount of groundwork to bring it up. I would rather do my incubation and my ground work now while the market is still tender and by the time the market turns around, I would have already paid my dues.Smart strategy, did it work?

It worked. All my designer friends were wondering how it will be. I was the design director for J.Mendel for 9 years and it was a great job, but I really needed the challenge. So I took some time off and then came back and started the brand. I have a Masters in Economics, I needed to begin somewhere.How difficult is it to stand out among new talent, among much variety out there in NYC? What was tough about working on your own label?

It is extremely tough to stand out and say something important. But it isn't as much difficult if you have something new and exciting to say, through your work. What's tough is the commercial aspect of it. The nitty gritties, the real business side of it- that’s tough. I am very hands-on that way. I take out the garbage at the end of the day; sweep the floors when I come in the morning. Every small thing is a part of the whole process and I love it. Finances, running the business - to me that is the biggest challenge of all.There must be a lot of pressure as well?

You know every time a collection is out; it’s critically acclaimed or trashed out. Whatever it is, it gets tougher even if you're doing well because you have already set the bar higher. Then, the only choice for you is to perform better. If it's not that, then there is no challenge. I'm happy to take on bigger challenges. I am true to my craft. I believe in small things: getting my fabric, draping it, creating the shape, making paper dolls. I'm super hands on. I do have an understanding in the technicalities. When i was a kid, I would watch my dad put his motorbike apart and try to put it all together. People think I'm a control freak. Any Indian influences you have brought to your design?

India, it’s my heritage, I can never have enough of Indian influences in my design. But sometimes I have to tone it down because I am trained in the west and my clients are from the west. In many subtle ways though, be it the fit, the drape or the colour, the jali work on modern materials- all of it, it’s very Indian. The juxtaposition of opposites is my design philosophy. Taking something old world to make something modern, or taking something very masculine to make it very feminine.What’s the inspiration for your Fall 2010 collection?

I was always fascinated by the fascist era in Europe, the 30s when Hollywood was at its peak, when aviation was big. I’ve loved the movie, Conformista and it gave me the canvas. I remember a scene when they would make clothes with metal straps for people and they would measure them to the precise inches, because human bodies are not 100 % symmetrical. I was fascinated by the whole movement. Metal straps are tough to sew; needles have to be changed all the time. My attempt was not to romanticize the era; it’s to show you how people lived every day during a certain time.How do you describe a woman who wears your label? 

I think it would be someone who has a real passion for life, someone who loves life. Definitely not someone who is passionate about fashion, but someone who is passionate about art, literature or even raising kids, or having a  family. Someone who is dynamic, who does things for herself and for her life. I don’t want to categorise them into any age category, they can be anyone from 20s to their 60s. I find women fascinating, in every woman I met, I experience something new in them.Icon who fit your bill?

Definitely Cate Blanchett. I dressed her once and I've seen her and I think she is her own self even if she’s wearing a design. She has that aura about her, it’s really inspiring. My outfits lend her a crutch to be herself.Isn't it sometimes the other way around, designers wanting to dress a certain woman and make her become a part of their tribe, their design? 

That’s not true, then, I might as well, make a mannequin wear my dress. The clothes come to life, and it should be what they do to the clothes, not the other way around. I think in India, Kareena Kapoor wears beautiful clothes, but it’s not about the dress, it’s what she is doing to that dress. It is then that fashion comes alive. Have you had a chance to understand Bollywood? Have you dressed up any Bollywood celebrities?

Actually in 2008, I was dragged by a friend to the sets of Teen Patti and I played a small cameo in the movie, with Big B. I was excited to be on the set, I loved playing an extra. I love Bollywood, I have great respect for the craft. It’s all about team work and that’s common between Bollywood and me. Katrina Kaif is a classic beauty, she’s very strong. I also Dimple Kapadia, my all time favourite. I would love to dress up Aishwarya, Kajol and Deepika. I have the biggest film library at home, Bollywood is like dal-chawal.What does fashion mean to you?

To me it’s a marriage between art and commerce. It starts from art and then depending on how far you take it, it could be anything. Fashion has to go beyond the gallery. For me fashion has to go beyond art into a common person's life. If it cannot do that, then its just art. I want it to touch someone’s life every day.Give us five style essentials every woman must have?

A classic LBD, the perfect high heels, the most amazing perfume, an evening clutch and curiosity about new things in life.

Post card from India by Bibhu

Bibhu Mohapatra's Indian Vacation

by VANESSA LAWRENCE

Posted THURSDAY JULY 8, 2010

From WWD.COM

Bibhu Mohapatra

Photo By Courtesy Photo

Bibhu Mohapatra

Photo By: Courtesy Photo

Bibhu Mohapatra's signature.

Photo By: Courtesy Photo

After a 16-hour flight, I arrived after midnight in steamy hot Bombay, a city that is always awake. Once at the Taj Lands End hotel, I slept like a baby on those fine Rajasthani cotton sheets and woke up to a stunning view of the Arabian sea, waves crashing on the rocks along the famous Bandstand area across from the hotel. (The Bandstand is where some of my favorite Bollywood movie stars live, and so every time I left the hotel, I found myself all starry-eyed, hoping for a glimpse of the greatest, most glamorous actress, Rekha.)

My first day started with a hearty breakfast of a masala egg-white omelet, fresh fruit and coffee. I had a meeting with my friend Max at the hotel’s coffee shop and then a typical vegetarian Gujarati lunch with my friend Siddharth at his beautiful and serene studio on Juhu Tara Road. I spent the rest of the afternoon hunting for fabrics, both new and antique, from Kalaniketan to Saroj Fabrics to Mughal Moments and the merchants depot. I found things that were really exciting and unique in colors that I have never seen before. That evening I went to Aurus, Bombay’s most hip and chic restaurant with a menu out of this world. I called it an early night, as I had a flight the next morning to Orissa, where I was going to see my family. I could hardly wait.  

I arrived just in time for lunch at home, with warm mutton Biryani and onion raita waiting for me. Good Biryani is one of my most favorite Mughal dishes. I spent the afternoon with Dad catching up on the last 18 months and visited some of my favorite places, including my beloved tailor, Ability, whose family has been in tailoring for generations since the British Raj. I gave them a reorder of white cotton shirts and some slacks, which they had to turn around in three days and they did. Evenings I was mostly with my two young nieces, Esha and Roma (14 and eight), out shopping and munching on delicious street food like pani puri.

During my last two days in Orissa, between the newly arrived monsoon showers, I went shopping for local arts and crafts. I found some amazing silver filigree objects. (Silver filigree and the traditional ikat fabrics are two of the crafts that Orissa is famous for.) Then it was back to Bombay for a few days and some spare time for inspiring visits to several modern Indian galleries in Colaba, where I saw some beautiful Souzas, Hussains, Khers, all art heroes in India. My trip ended with a nice dinner with friends. It was hard to say goodbye to India, but I know I will be back very soon.

Mahesh Lunch Home
8-B Cawasji Patel Street, Fort
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
022-2287-0983
 
Aurus Juhu
12/A Gr Flr Nichani Kutir, Juhu Tara Road
Juhu, Mumbai, India
 
Saroj Fabrics
14th Road, Khar West
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
022-2600-0544
 
FabIndia
Mahran, Plot #16, Juhu Vile Development Scheme
Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, India
022-2620-6339

Editor’s note: Designer Bibhu Mohapatra returned recently from a vacation in India.

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