Bibhu Mohapatra’s Five Tips On Dressing Elegantly

Orissa-born Bibhu Mohapatra is one of a trio of Indian designers to have recently made it

A gown by Bibhu Mohapatra.

into the hallowed circles of New York’s fashion circuit (the other two are Naeem Khan and Prabal Gurung). Mohapatra, who studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and cut his teeth working at Halston and J. Mendel, has been feted by both celebs (Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan) and his peers (he is a member of the prestigious industry body, the Council of Fashion Designers of America), for the pared down elegance of his line. Think sleekly tailored blouses and jackets, voluminous fur gilets and delicate silk gowns, some of which he will launch at fashion boutique Le Mill this week. In town for the launch, and to work with the Orissa government to produce textile samples, Mohapatra sat down with us to give us his five tips on elegant dressing.

1. “When you wear a dress, you need to consider how it feels structurally. If it doesn’t have a bustier built in, then make sure you’re wearing good inner foundation.”

2. “Every woman needs a perfect date dress, which is basically a transitional dress that can carry you from work into night. Put your hair up, wear jewellery and it’d be perfect to go out in. Colours are also key. Don’t wear the same old black dress. Indians can really carry off colour, and emerald green, depending on the fabric, is perfect for both day and night.”

3. “You need a good pair of wide-legged trousers. You have to be a certain shape to wear cigarette pants, but everyone can wear the standard trouser.”

4. “All women need a perfectly tailoured shirt blouse in either black or white, where the shoulders fall where they’re supposed to.”

5. “Wear just one beautiful piece of jewellery, either earrings, a necklace or bracelets. Preferably something old, like a beautiful diamond arm band perhaps, because your clothes and shoes are probably going to be contemporary. It’s a good way of bringing in something old world.”