Tashan of torn jeans

Indian designers are using denim to create a vast variety of looks, writes Vimla Patil

Kareena Kapoor boldly chopped off her jeans in Tashan to make instant micro-mini-shorts

When Tashan was released in April last, Kareena Kapoor acquired the title of the ‘bindaast girl of Bollywood’ with her portrayal of the village girl who becomes the curve-revealing moll of gangster Anil Kapoor. Tashan may well be forgotten, but Kareena has not allowed anyone to forget her portrayal of the devil-may-care zero-size siren who, in a memorable scene, boldly chopped off her jeans to make instant micro-mini-shorts to rivet the attention of Saif and Akshay Kumar, who shared her adventurous journey in search of the gangster’s loot.

She recently worked the magic of torn jeans once again — with Akshay Kumar beside her — at the press meet for their film Kambakht Ishq and created a stir in the fashion world. Her acid-discoloured jeans, randomly tattered at the knees, attracted the eyeballs of all present and became a forerunner of the bindaast girl once again. KI as the film is short-titled, portrays her as the girl who relentlessly follows her ambition and fights a verbose battle with hero Akshay Kumar throughout the film.

However, not just Kareena, every other rebellious girl is likely to go for the jeans in the coming months. "The monsoons are an ideal time to wear jeans because they allow free movement without any fear of wading through the water in the rains," says designer Monica Variani, "Jeans are hardy`85they don’t need so much care as other delicate garments. Add to this the fact that they can be worn in so many avatars and you can clearly see why women prefer jeans to any other item of clothing. Jeans can be worn while doing housework and at parties, when they are dressed up with blingy tops or jewellery. They somehow stand for freedom and an open attitude to life and women are wearing them for all kinds of reasons. Some even embellish the torn gashes in the jeans to satisfy their lust for baubles. Crystals, beads and gold gota borders can be used to jazz up jeans permanently or for short periods or special occasions. Jeans also spell youth and its power to challenge the world. This is why the popularity of jeans as ‘youthwear’ comes back season after season."

"Jeans with a personal touch of tears or slashes help the wearer to project certain messages," says Shyla Mohan, a young model, "Some girls stop at the knees. Yet others, who want to project boldness, slash them just below the hips or high on thighs like item girl Rakhi Sawant or raunchy Bollywood star Mallika Sherawat. The idea is to attract attention and show attitude. Even if the tears are at the knee, the message is that of rebellion against a staid, conservative society that expects women to conform. Additionally, jeans are accepted fashion wear at all functions, whether celebrity or ordinary. From college to workplace, from workplace to party, a woman can wear jeans anywhere changing the accessories and tops to change the mood. Designers are using denim to create a vast variety of looks and these are copied and made by chain fashion stores for the average woman."

With Kareena Kapoor leading the ‘in your face’ pack with her fashion look and lifestyle, Amisha Patel, Amrita Rao, Sophie Choudry and innumerable other stars or Page Three personalities are now flaunting jeans with embellishments and torn knees or thighs or backs to join an international trend this summer.

In monsoon, the trend should come in useful and set the seal of success for the woman who is looking to express her freedom and individuality in every possible way.