Special feature
Lights! Camera! Action!
These terms are synonymous with the glitzy world of cinema. Whenever someone contemplates movies, they must mull over an unreal world governed by scripts, directors, actors and actresses. The celluloid world is much more than our simplistic perception; it is a fairly complicated process with a crucial manifestation even in anation's cultural identity. Cinema reflects the different points of view of the mass; it influences their thought process including their fashion. There is so much more to cinema than what meets the eye. Here, in this article we have tried to understand how Bangladeshi cinema posters have influenced fashion over the years and how you can incorporate those glitzy norms into today's fashion scene.
1970s
This is the era when Bangladesh gained its long awaited independence. TV and media stormed to build their own identity while still being influenced by the past. This is the era when famous movies like "Golapi Ekhon Traine"and "Sareng Bou" and "Jibon Theke Neya" were released and became box office hits gaining massive popularity.
The posters of most of the movies in this era show that fashion for ladies included tying the hair in tight- knit braids or loose buns with a central parting in the front. The big 'teep' adorning the forehead became popular. Women in the household - the 'bous' - usually wore the Bengali sari with two large pleats around the waist and silver key rings hanging from theanchals.
The general fashion was conservative, traditional, with cotton saris and conventional jewellery taking up most of the screen space.
The urban-elite gentlemen were dressed in traditional attires such as cotton panjabi and pyjama with a shawl placed across their shoulders. The movie posters also depicted that the grameen-check shirt and gamcha – scarves, were worn abundantlyby rural men.
SPORTING THE '70S CINEMA LOOK AT A THEME PARTY
Wear a cotton sari preferably in a subtle colour such as beige or olive green. Dress you hair in a big bun; in case you have short hair, use hair extensions for this purpose. Place hair embellishments to highlight the entire look.
For the men in order to synchronise with your lady love to the party, don a white panjabi with plain olive coloured shawls.
1980s
The '80s were much more colourful with the release of movies like 'Beder Meye Jotsna' and 'Teen Konna'. Amazingly, western influence took hold as leading actresses begandressing in leg warmers, loud makeup, funky jewellery, bright red lipstick andwild unruly hairstyles. The era used to be outrageously influenced by action strings, cabaret dance sequences, gangster fights and disco culture. The men sported sleeveless t-shirts, tight pants, sequined jackets, thick-dark moustache and a complete alpha male look.
THE '80S MOVIE NIGHT
The frivolous '80s can be better depicted with red lipsticks, dangling earrings, blunt-cut, colourful loose shirts and tight pants. Men can sport the disco look only if they feel bold enough.
1990s
The '90s were famous for being the romantic era. Super-duper hit movies like 'Qyamot Theke Qyamot' and 'Banglar Nayok' were released. "Qyamot Theke Qyamot", a re-make of a popular Hindi movie, made significant headlines in the country with everyone trying to copy the movie stars,Moushumi and Salman Shah, from head to toe.
Moushumi sported elongated frocks, royal anarkali kameezs, long jet-black hair and frontal hair bangs. Similarly, Salman Shah, who became a major star after the movie, also morphed into a fashion icon for men.
Salman Shah may not have lived long enough to become a permanent fashion idol but the nation still fondly remembers his uncomplicated sense of styleespecially with the sweater hanging over the shoulders.
THE ROMANTIC '90S NIGHT
You probably would have to make these outfits with the help of a tailour to perfect the look. The off- shoulder long gowns with lots of laces and frills, the frock-style kameez and of course the long and silky straight hair; extensions and wigs may come handy in this part. Men can follow Salman Shah outfits to win the best dressed '90s look contest, if any.
2000s
The 2000s,or the era of the new millennium evolved into a time when many art films were released and the commercial films like 'Chondrolok', 'Molla Barir Bou' and 'Monpura' also made the headlines. The posters revealed that the styles had become more subtle than the previous two eras for ladies with an emphasis on a more down-to-earth look.
Regular western wear and customary sari draping style were rampant; however the same did not apply for the men. The posters show that the actors wore shiny sunglasses, long silver chains around their neck and wrist, and kotis with regular t-shirt displaying a very puffed up young man look.
MILLENIUM-LOOK PARTY
Zero fuss and low key fashion for women while men must look like part-time gangsters to ace the fashion parade. The silver chains and wristlets are a must to identify with the era.
2010S AND ONWARDS
The movie posters have become much more complex with more than just the main characters on display. The actresses are dressed more in western outfits, with national dresses like saris almost out of sight. The posters of this era depict a bolder Bangladesh which is slightly in contrast with the streets of the country.
Cropped hair, sequined blouse, tank tops are a common scene on any poster. The men are seen wearing chic shirts, branded eye-glasses, cool jackets and hoodies sporting the very modern and globalised look.
THE INTERNET-AGE FASHION PARTY
Be your usual self and dress in what is more comfortable to yourself but if you must follow the cinemas make sure to be bold. One accessory that you cannot and most probably will not miss out on is the Smartphone.
Photo courtesy: Farzana Shakil's Makeover Salon