Fashion for a Cause

Myriad colors, the aroma of sugary sweets in the air and scenes of happiness and mischief everywhere; in other words, a typical HoIi day! The auspicious festival took place a few days ago and saw an immense outpouring of colors and water in every part of the country. Besides being one of the most anticipated festivals, it is a source of inspiration for many artists. One such artist is Fashion Designer Manish Arora who has broadened the precincts of conventional art by fusing two different art forms into one spectacular creation!

Manish Arora

A newspaper article in 2013 inspired the designer to create something unique. The article concerned the widows of Varanasi who abandoned the age old obdurate impositions of society and celebrated Holi for the first time in centuries. This simple article lead to Manish Arora’s first fashion film titled ‘Holy Holi’.

Bharat Sikka

Bishi Bhattacharya 

   

                                                                     
Conceptualized and story by Manish, the film depicts the day when women finally broke away from the long dead traditions and rejoiced in the gaiety of colors. Artistically shot, the movie captures the emotions beautifully. Directed by the extremely talented art photographer Bharat Sikka, Manish designed and styled the movie. Bishi Bhattacharya composed and sang the heart wrenching music and also is the model that we see in the film. The good thing about the cast is that everyday women are seen clad in Manish Arora’s creations, which adds to the authenticity of the movie.    

Holy Holi

The movie opens with a vision of a murky and gloomy river and the women in white sarees. A burst of gulal in the air above the women is a sign of things to come. Myriad emotions are captured in simple gesture. The many lonely years of being and the melodic, haunting sound of Bishi conveys the melancholic feeling experienced by the women. And then, just like that, the color spreads in the air giving a sense of joy and of the opportunity to have colors in their life again.

Holy Holi

The vivid couture created by Manish shows the freedom to play with colors. The naughty pinks, flamboyant reds and psychedelic colors capture the colorful festival of Holi and how everyone, without any discrimination, has the right and the freedom to indulge in it.

Holy Holi

Holy Holi won several awards at ASVOFF (A Shaded View On Fashion Film Festival) in Paris. Through this fashion film Manish Arora has pushed the creative envelope and included something new. He even showed fashion is not only about models in trendy clothes but also a way of expressing deep emotions often ignored by society.