Fashion and costume designer Bibhu Mohapatra, who has many Hollywood and Bollywood biggies in his client list, has once again showcased traditional textiles and weaves of Odisha at the global stage.
The New York-based designer made costumes for performers of Washington National Opera’s concert “Come Home: A Celebration of Return” organised at Kennedy Center, USA. The concert that began on November 6 and will continue till November 14 is a tribute to late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was an opera buff and patron.
Mohapatra, who is known for his evening wear collections with sweeping grandeur, has designed 15 costumes for the female and male cast of the show using Bandha and Ikat fabrics. The dresses he designed for the female performers wouldn’t look out of place on a runway. Shoulder details are a focus: Alexandria Shiner wore a bold red gown with a draped detail suspended from a high collar; a similar effect, created using a halter, appeared on Rehanna Thelwell’s empire-waist gown. For Isabel Leonard, he made a black gown with red and white detailing and wing like sleeves. The designer received the request from Francesca Zambello, Washington National Opera’s artistic director, when he was in India after a gap of over two years to attend the funeral of a relative, who died due to Covid-19 complications.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appreciated efforts of Mohapatra towards promoting the State’s fabric and said such initiatives will help make Odisha’s traditional textile even more popular at the global stage.