I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned that earlier, but I am not a big fan of shopping during sales (no matter what part of the world I am in). Nevertheless, I always manage to find some interesting pieces every now and then during sale period, because they’re hard to ignore (it’s everywhere).
And now, thanks to the global economic slowdown stigma, the discounts run down in stores pretty much all round the year. Last month when I dropped by at Bombay Electric store they happened to still have some stuff on sale (though their sale period was over), and that’s where I spotted this Bodice shirt. In case you’re wondering, launched in 2010, Bodice is label of this Indian chic Ruchika Sachdeva who’s studied fashion from London and has worked under Viviene Westwood and Giles Deacon and has been participating in LFW since last couple of years. I saw her collection in 2011 and have been in love with it ever since – sharp tailoring, interesting cuts, pastels with blacks/greys and androgyny at its best ….. yup all of that from an Indian designer. Unfortunately, until now, I never got a chance to see her collection in person and purchase it.
Aha, and here it was this absolutely delectable shirt in black (my first love), with soft buttery crepe on one side and sheer net on the other, with sharp tailoring and interesting piping. It was quirky in a way yet subtle in another – and the credit goes to ‘black’ that gave it this chic minimalist look making it utterly wearable despite the quirk.
Ok, I genuinely love promoting Indian stuff, but honestly when it comes to Indian designers doing western wear I just can’t loose my purse string and spend even a dime on them (bad tailoring, shapeless clothes, unclear plan of what they’re aiming at – we could do a whole post on that) {Oh there certainly are some rare exceptions}. At Rs 9500 this shirt sure was expensive (you’d get a chic Equipment shirt for that price). But with a 40% markdown, although it still sounded expensive, it was hard to resist considering how I’ve always loved her stuff on runways and for once I wanted to like and support an Indian designer for western clothing.
Brimming with excitement, I finally found a day and occasion to wear it last week. Wahooooo! Just when I was going all black, Meghs who’s always this vibrant cheery colourful person threw some seriously angry looks and I decided to add some colour with a blue vest inside the sheer shirt and a green clutch to clash it with. I was totally loving it, and we headed out for some shopping and dinner.
And there – the pleasure turned into a big disappointment. Not so soon, I discovered the shirt buttons had a mind of their own, and they decide to open up just about anytime. It was a nightmare. (Thank God I had a vest inside!!). I also found out later in the evening that the net of the shirt pulled out and there was a hole. I don’t really remember anything being caught with the shirt fabric, so whether it was a fabric problem or something else, don’t know. But I am not sure if I am ever going to wear it again.
It was a great design.
Update – I’m glad this post grabbed the attention of Bodice team and loved the fact that their customer services team made an effort and contacted me asking about the problem with the garment, and quickly sent out a new piece. Now that’s called a great service. Kudos to Ruchika Sachdeva!!
Photo Credit: Meghna Saraogi
