Nivedita speaks to designer duo – Falguni-Shane Peacock. They say designing for West gives them creative freedom
Indian designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock, who have designed for renowned international figures like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, say that it’s always fun to make clothes for both ‘desi’ and ‘videshi’ stars. But their creative freedom gets restricted while designing for the celebrities in their home country.
“It’s always fun to design for Indian and international celebrities. Indian celebrities also carry themselves really well and do justice to all our outfits, but at times when it comes to designing for them, there are a few restrictions in terms of the outfit being revealing, use of sheer in the outfit and the length of the outfit, which limits our creative freedom.
“Whereas in the West we don’t have any such restrictions so we can explore more in terms of designs, cuts and styles,” Flaguni told IANS in an email interaction from Mumbai.
However, the couple from the city of dreams do feel that Indian cinema is a huge inspiration for setting fashion trends here.
“Indian cinema and fashion have always gone hand in hand and in each time period, a fashion trend has evolved due to Indian cinema,” said Shane.
Active since 2004, the designer duo created ripples in the markets outside the country by showcasing at various international fashion weeks and dressing celebrities like Madonna, Katy Perry, Fergie, Nicole Scherzinger, Cheryl Cole, Naomi Harris, Shakira and Beyonce Knowles.
Sonakshi Sinha, Kangana Ranaut, Jacqueline Fernandes, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor add up to their Indian client list.
Lopez is said to be one of the biggest lovers of their designs as the international fashion icon has been seen in their clothes on many occasions.
The singer-actress performed in a custom made outfit by the Indian designers at the recently concluded Billboard 2014 Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she also received the Billboard Icon award.
Dressed in a sheer black net body suit with elaborate metallic gold and crystal work, JLo opened the show. The geometric and baroque detailing gave her an edgy punk-meets-classic old world appeal while she performed on “We are one (ole ola)” along with Cuban-American rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop singer Claudia Leitte.
Days later, at the Kiss Concert 2014, Lopez was seen wearing the designer’s outfit as she performed on “On the floor”.
Ask them about the experience working with the Latino star, Falguni said: “Jennifer Lopez has made her mark as a style icon and has always looked great in whatever she wears. She understands her body and also has the guts to take risks when it comes to fashion and style.
“She trusts us to create something which matches her design sensibility always and allows us to show our creative side to the fullest.”
And will they ever make some Indian designs for her?
“We want to dress her in a sari but need to find the right occasion and time for it. With her kind of curves we think the fall of the sari would look gorgeous on her,” said Shane.
Bold and audacious prints contribute to an integral part to the Peacock label. The Peacock label is a couture and luxury resort brand that is fast expanding beyond its horizons to a growing global brand of ever busy international fashionistas seeking stylish and multi-functional outfits.
According to the designers, “each collection reflects our philosophy of ‘life’s too short to blend in’. Confidence is the key to wearing our garments, or someone that has the creative initiative to balance their style with attitude.”