Another old post that never got published. Well, if fashion for me is a hobby and used to be a side-hustle at best (detest that term, let's just call it a passion), then this, would be a defining moment of my fashion career. Being on the ramp is not about looking good - in fact, that probably is one of the lesser qualities you need to do a good ramp-walk. It is about being agile, moving well, exuding confidence, feeling comfortable, nay, powerful in your own skin. So that's what I learnt from this, and few other ramp experiences I had.
This one in particular was fun and full of excitement. The theme was 'Game of Thrones' (It was 2015) and we'd been practicing for a month. Made a lot of inter-departmental fashion friends from IIT, and going to Laxmi was more fun than the rehearsals themselves, as I recall. The rehearsals took place in OAT, the open air heater next to H-1 - which always wore a slightly haunted air after dark. I didn't much care for it. Also I had good days and bad - started off as a total noob at ramp walking, but progressed to the scene opener (I played Cerci) - so all was well.
I never watched GOT, but knew that Cerci was a key character (Did not know how much of a b**ch she was), and that was enough for me to be ecstatic that I was playing her!
Two days before the show, the boys and some girls went costume hunting. I didn't go, but I'm sure it must have been challenging finding all those period costumes. I think we got poor substitutes, tacky warrior-type outfits for the men, full of gold detailing and bulk, and some dresses for the women, with unnecessary ruffles and silk. But we made do - nay, transformed them to something that would suit. Put our IIT-brains to good use!
I was really happy with my outfit through - A black velvet floor-length gown, with massive umbrella sleeves - It could give you bad fairy or Cruella vibes, whichever way you chose to look at it. But it was super flattering, and I cinched it in with a silken brown scarf I'd thrifted form Colaba Causeway - so yay!
I remember my NIFT room-mate came to help style us in the green-room on the final day. She helped with makeup, nips and tucks here and there, and generally was the boss-lady and did a fabulous job. The necklace I'm wearing in the pictures below, is hers.
And so that was it! The last thing I remember was waiting behind the curtains of the auditorium stage, the dazzling lights, GOT theme song playing slow, and walking out on cue, slow, stately and swish, as Queen Cerci herself would..
Shubhi
