New York:
New York designer Bibhu Mohapatra is riding high since Michelle Obama arrived on a landmark visit to India wearing his dress—his Fashion Week show was mobbed.
Dozens of people given standing-room tickets were turned away from a packed house at Lincoln Center, forced to watch the fall/winter 2015 collection on TV screens in the lobby as there was no more room.
The collection was full of rich fur coats, both long and cropped, in white, brown, red and blue, mixed with elegant monochrome tailoring and structured evening gowns in red and electric blue.
Speaking to AFP before the show, a happy and relaxed Mohapatra was loving the attention, 19 years since moving to the United States, first to study economics and then fashion.
“To be represented in my homeland by probably one of the most important persons and not only because of her fashion style or her following, but who she is and what she stands for, was a big deal for me,†he said.
It is not the first time Obama has worn one of his outfits, but selecting the blue flowered dress and matching coat to step off Air Force One with President Barack Obama on January 25 was a career high.
“I feel very fortunate that I’m in a very small way part of that history,†he said of the visit, which signalled a growing closeness between Washington and New Delhi.
“One billion people were watching on a live telecast and (the Obamas) being received by the prime minister of one of the largest democracies. Not bad!†he said.
