Where does fashion end and gimmick begin?

Ripped at the knees, shredded at the thighs, or half the front panel missing, so that the upper half of one leg is fully on view — we have seen possibly all variations a pair of jeans can have. But, the world isn’t done with them, yet. Recently, Tokyo-based designer Meiko Ban showcased her debut collection in that city, and presented a creation now being dubbed “thong jeans”. “This is fashion for runway’s sake. I highly doubt if this kind of style will take off,” says designer Namrata Joshipura, asked to comment on whether this counts as a viable trend. On the runway, drama isn’t a new thing. But, feels designer Nachiket Barve, the runway is where it should stay. “I hope such a style never sees the light of day,” he says. However, designer Rina Dhaka believes that there’s no definitive tool to measure the viability of fashion. “You can’t predict the market,” she says. “Whenever I’ve thought nobody would wear my designs, people have gone gung-ho over them. When I’ve thought everybody will love it, it might not have had [the] moves.” Dhaka adds, “There’s a sense of risk that the youth want; something [for] their time.” Will we see people in India take to, er… thong jeans? “Behind closed doors, anything is possible,” says designer Anand Bhushan. “Apart from this, there’s nothing as ‘too much’ when it comes to fashion. It either fits your comfort level or it doesn’t.”

Fashion has stretched its limits. Something within that parameter, even if it’s bizarre, yet dramatic, will be a success RINA DHAKA, DESIGNER

PHOTO- INSTAGRAM/ _RACHELCORBETT