There’s no show-stopper for the finale. The voice is a loud whisper from someone in the back row. Last leg of the Kingfisher Chennai International Fashion Week, and after showstoppers like Ganesh Venkatraman, Simran and Lakshmi Rai, one can hardly imagine a finale without one. It’s 11.30pm. And, despite the late hour, it appears that a fresh inflow of people have just made their way in. It’s time for Rocky S. Or as the name of his collection aptly reads: Rocky Star.
Now we know why there is no showstopper. The clothes don’t need one. The gowns come in shades of black mostly, and a touch of zinc and gold. Black net, lace, silk, tassles and crystals....embedded painfully, beautifully. It’s runway magic. His numbers are impressive – 21 years in the industry, handled costumes for 350 films and doesn’t look a day over 30 . And the man behind it all, who has dressed everyone from Beyonce Knowles to Bipashu Basu, is reluctant to stay and chat for too long after the show. But thankfully, we do get a few questions in.
10 minutes past midnight with Rocky S
That was breathtaking. How long did you take to put this collection together?
There was lots of tedious handcraft work and gold embroidery, so about three to four months.
The slow song that was playing for the sequence was more like talking than music. Did you choose it?
Yes, that was ‘Ride’ by Lana Del Ray...I love her! It’s (the song) all about freedom, feeling special and loving being loved...which is what this collection is about. In fact, this is my first showcase that is so slow and surreal (because of the song). Usually it’s all ‘bang bang’ with house music.
So which came first, the collection or the song?
(Laughs) I think I heard the song first, and then created the collection. It’s a red carpet line for the evening, which is why there is so much black. Also, I like a woman of mystery.
Are there any South Indian starlets that you see wearing this collection?
All of them. I honestly don’t remember any names.
What else is lined up for 2013?
My year is pretty choc-a-bloc. I have the Lakme Fashion Week coming up, my bag line, my perfume line and the India Resort Fashion Week at the end of the year.