Designer with an Oomph- Bibhu Mohapatra

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 28:

He is 43- dapper, suave and handsome. Bibhu, flutters hearts with his good looks and creations. The Odisha-born internationally renowned designer has hogged the limelight on numerous occasions for his creative work. Lovingly called Bobby, he was born and brought up in Steel City Rourkela and has never forgotten his roots and the rich  handloom tradition of Odisha.

The top designer is currently associated with Odia weavers who will be making a six yard long onion pink silk sari with a cream border and silk thread embroideries on it, to be gifted to Michelle Obama on her birthday.

A creative mind like Bibhu’s could not be chained. In 2008, he started his own label which is now world famous. Bibhu has carved out a fashionable niche for himself and is well known for his chic and elegant style.

Prior to this, he completed his Bachelor of Commerce from the Municipal College and went to Utah State University in the US for his master’s degree. A seat in the reputed Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York put him on a roll in the fashion track. Interning with the luxury fashion house Halston after class, he went on to work with designer J. Mendel as the design director.

Today, he stands tall in the fashion world but has not let the glamour and glitz dazzle him. He dresses up  power packed clientele like Michelle Obama, actors Cate Blanchette, Glenn Close, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Freida Pinto, etc.

Every mother is the strength of her child. Bobby adored his mother and learnt his first stitch from her. It is sad that she never lived to see the success of her fashion icon son. His elder brother Bijoy Mohapatra, who is a broadcast designer in CNN, has been the greatest motivator and moral supporter for Bibhu. Bijoy, who resides in Atlanta, has always been his best friend and mentor and both brothers share an enviable rapport. His elder sister Lopa still treasures the lehenga and blouse that her brother had created from their mother’s yellow chiffon sari. Bibhu adored his father and was devastated when he lost him recently.

Currently Bibhu works from a 5000 square-foot complex in Manhattan and heads a seven-member core team where the best of designs are created, executed and encompasses a complete showroom and a manufacturing unit.

His collections are the talk of the town and sell like hotcakes. This time, his Fall- 2016 collection will be unveiled at the New York Week in February. This collection has a different flavor of a neutral background with teal, red, orange, different blues, olive and lots of gold.

 

Photo credit: Facebook