Mohapatra's Tibetan magic on New York runway

Unveiling his Fall/Winter 2014 collection in New York, Indian fashion designer Bibhu

Mohapatra presented beauty and colours of Tibet matching global sensibilities. The 41-year-old award-winning designer, who has dressed First Lady Michelle Obama, sent 41 breathtaking looks down the runway in various shades of plum, black, ivory, bronze, red and neutrals.

For outerwear, his range consisted of luxurious mink coats and mink vests along with an alligator coat with sable trim and cropped bomber jackets with raccoon collars, printed pencil skirt, a shift dress, an off-the-shoulder satin gown and an organza strapless ball gown. He made use of the traditional Tibetan pang den pattern of offset stripes. There were beaded cocktail dresses, pleated chiffon skirts and a metallic gown in gold created in Chiffon, cashmere and beaded organza, embroidery and jacquard panels.

In 2013, Mohapatra, who after working for a decade as design director for J.Mendel launched his namesake collection in 2009, presented his polished styles like diamond-print patterns and slim-cut pants for the first time on runway at Lincoln Center. Influenced by the 1930’s, he also showcased several eveningwear pieces, such as a beaded dress with feather trim and laser-cut leather cocktail dress.