When supermodel Karlie Kloss arrived at the Victoria's Secret fashion show after-party last month, she caused a furore. The usually restrained Kloss had seriously turned her own cutesy image on its head, forever making the term 'under-cleavage' (or in the social universe, 'under-boob') acceptable in the global fashion lexicon. Fifty-five year old Sharon Stone followed suit, wearing a revealing cut-out neckline on a recent trip to the 13th Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco. Sabyasachi, one of the most sought-after Indian couturiers, introduced the style on Delhi's Couture Week ramp this July amid the sepia-toned lehengas and dusty pink quilted jackets. There Vogue spotted abbreviated cholis with triangular cutouts strategically and surprisingly adding an element of sensuality. A similar style is documented in Indian miniature paintings of the 16th and 17th century, associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, says, "This is an old convention in Indian miniatures that can be seen in Rajasthani and Pahari paintings. It is difficult to find a moment when the style 'originated' because actually, it's endemic all through the history of Indian painting from the 15th to 18th centuries." While such displays of skin have been resigned to the 'wardrobe malfunction' category in the recent past, it remains to be seen whether Kloss and other celebrities and designers can lend authenticity to this curious NEw Fashion Under Best.
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