Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Plus-sized should Never Hyde

by DIMPLE SANGHANI

NARENDRA KUMAR’S CATWALK SHOW IS HIGHLIGHT OF LAKME FASHION WEEK.


THE recent Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018 show in Mumbai had the usual high-profile designers, eye-catching outfits, top trends and A-list celebrities like Kareena Kapoor

Khan lighting up the stylish five-day spectacular.

But one designer that did something decidedly different was Narendra Kumar with his interesting-titled catwalk show Never Hyde, which was a bold and beautiful celebration of

the plus-sized woman.

He teamed up with the large clothing brand aLL-The Plus Size Store for the aLLPrimero x show, which aimed to empower men and women of all sizes. The grand offering

celebrating plus-sized fashionistas had trendy outfits for all shapes, sizes and body types. The outfits for all occasions were colourful and encouraged those wearing them to never hide or conform to other’s ideas on their figures, along with feeling confident in their own skin.

The ace designer drafted in nearly 30 newcomers to model the various creations. These included Bollywood actress Shikha Talsania, who was last seen delivering a winning turn in hit film Veere Di Wedding, as the showstopper for the show.

The bubbly star exuded confidence, and later said: “I love fashion, but like all curvy people,

I hated shopping. For me, aLL Primero X Narendra Kumar isn’t just about size inclusive

clothing but empowerment because of the confidence these clothes instil in me. It was a great experience walking the ramp!

“Narendra is an amazing designer; his silhouettes and designs flatter my curves and also make me feel comfortable.”

The plus-sized models, both male and female, walked down the ramp for a collection that was a real representation of a more democratic fashion estate and one that broke norms.

The line filled with vibrant shades, whimsical prints and eccentric silhouettes included dresses, jumpsuits, hoodies, pant suits, blouses, leisure wear, zippered wide collar blouses, bomber and denim jackets, jeans, tops, shirts, trousers, blazers and printed T-shirts with photos of iconic curvy women from past eras.

With the designer collection, Kumar helped bust popular fashion myths and explained the Never Hyde show was based around this concept about plus-sized people leading dual lives, where they have a certain character but also must conform to what society thinks they should be doing, including slimming themselves down.

The concept of Never Hyde took its title from Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. “The collection is contemporary and modern. I have not designed it from the perspective of: ‘Oh this is for plus-sized people, so I need to make plus-size appropriate clothing’. This is to move away from the idea that plus-size is a different world,” said Kumar.

The designer thinks the fashion world is finally getting more real with colour, size and many other different things. Runways around the world at high-profile fashion have been embracing the new democratic fashion trend, but this particular collection looks likely to inspire Indian designers to also follow suit.

More For You

mango distribution for the poor

The festival was warmly received by recipients and appreciated by local residents

SGVP

Madhavipriyadas Swami leads mango distribution for the poor and needy

Madhavipriyadas Swami of SGVP Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad led a mango distribution drive in 2025, providing free mangoes to poor and needy families as part of the SGVP Mango Festival.

The event was held at the SGVP campus and aimed to support underprivileged communities by distributing fresh seasonal fruit during the summer. Thousands of mangoes were handed out to individuals from economically weaker backgrounds.

Keep ReadingShow less
2025’s Strawberry Moon: Rare Low-Height Full Moon Over the UK

The lowest-hanging full moon visible from the UK since 2006

Getty Images

Strawberry Moon 2025: Ancient moonlight, rare low-rise spectacle returns to UK skies

A full Strawberry Moon is set to light up UK skies tonight, and while the name might sound whimsical, it harks back to ancient survival. This year’s version is even more special, astronomers say it will be the lowest-hanging full moon visible from the UK since 2006, thanks to a rare celestial rhythm called a major lunar standstill.

This striking phenomenon won’t return until 2043, giving tonight's event a once-in-a-generation status.

Keep ReadingShow less
Twix TV advert

This included visible skid marks, fast-paced music and an overall emphasis on speed

YouTube/ TWIX

Twix TV advert banned in UK for promoting unsafe driving

A television advert for the chocolate bar Twix has been banned in the UK by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after it was found to promote unsafe driving. The advert, produced by Mars-Wrigley, featured a high-speed car chase involving two identical caramel-coloured cars, which ends in a crash with one vehicle stacked on top of the other, resembling a Twix bar.

Complaints raise driving safety concerns

The ASA received five complaints, with viewers arguing that the advert encouraged dangerous and irresponsible driving. Mars-Wrigley defended the campaign, describing it as having a “cinematic presentation” set in a “fantastical and absurd” world. Clearcast, the body that approves ads for broadcast, supported this view.

Keep ReadingShow less
What Makes the 'Nimbus' Covid Variant Symptoms Different?

Experts warn that nimbus may be more efficient at infecting human cells than earlier variants

iStock

Doctors warn of new covid symptom as nimbus variant spreads across the UK

A new covid variant, known as nimbus (scientifically NB.1.8.1), is causing concern among health experts as cases rise globally. The variant, a descendant of omicron, has been detected in several countries, including China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK. While its symptoms are largely similar to previous covid strains, doctors have identified a distinctive new symptom: a razor blade sore throat, characterised by an intense stabbing pain when swallowing.

Experts warn that nimbus may be more efficient at infecting human cells than earlier variants, which could lead to increased transmission rates. Although there is no current evidence to suggest that it causes more severe illness than its predecessors, the rapid spread has raised concerns, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Keep ReadingShow less