Bibhu Mohapatra’s Intelligent Design
The term ‘intelligent design’ might conjure up images of Darwinists battling creationists. When we talk about the intelligent design of Bibhu Mohapatra, however, we’re talking about something everyone can celebrate – beautifully constructed, elegant cocktail dresses, stunning draped gowns with layers that create the sense of movement, and “softer more wearable clothes” as he describes them.
I had the pleasure of spending time with Bibhu when he was at Hirshleifers last week to present his spring/summer collection, the second ready-to-wear collection under his own namesake label. A quick look at his work leaves no doubt that he is a gifted designer and master technician. More about that in a moment, but first, let me share the personal qualities that make this young man so unique: his gentle understated elegance, his thirst for knowledge, and his inspiring story of pursuing his love of fashion, which took him from a Masters Degree in Economics to the Fashion Institute of Technology where he received the prestigious Critic’s Award for Best Evening Wear Designer of the Year. And then on to serve as design director at J. Mendel, a post he held for five years before launching out on his own.
Bibhu’s spring/summer collection explores the theme of inner beauty, something he clearly knows much about. Inspired by x-rays, he has created a beautiful linen blazer with delicate spine-like lace-up back. Blouses in jersey, linen and layers of organza, some in a blue and black print resembling x-ray film, are lovely. Stunning cocktail dresses and gowns, in buttery yellow charmeuse and white lace to pale green with appliquéd embroidered squares, create a sense of softness with layers draped and floating.
Inner beauty is joined by outer splendor. Now that’s intelligent design.
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