PIX: Ferreira replaces Manish Malhotra, impresses at LFW

The ace designer's exit at the last minute proved lucky for James Ferreira.

Barely three days before his show, Manish Malhotra realised he had no clothes to show at the Lakme Fashion Week's Summer-Resort 2012 edition.

To replace him, Lakme Fashion Week turned to veteran Mumbai designer James Ferreira, best known as the most prominent resident of Khotachiwadi a village around which the city of Mumbai grew.

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Ferreira is no Malhotra.

He rarely ever shows at fashion weeks, choosing rather to cater to a select clientele instead.

He cares little or nothing about his appearance and has no airs whatsoever unlike practically every other designer on the block.

He'll be spotted hanging out with journalists, PRs and anyone who'd like to have a word with him.

Needless to say, he couldn't give a hoot to network with celebrities and stars least of all build his 'brand' the way Malhotra has.

What James Ferreira means to people of his generation can be seen in the fact that Rohit Bal made sure to attend his show.

He may or may not have thought much of his designs but he sat through it and watched like a student would watch his teacher.

Ferreira's designs were simple.

His silhouettes were staid and there was little or no drama in his collection.

The colour palette moved from electric purple to plain white.

It is the kind of designs that you'd imagine would make people in the '90s gasp in admiration.

In some ways, Ferreira's line seemed stuck in time.

None of the outfits would probably make you go a-ha but they were also reflective of a time that went by not so long ago.

A time of simplicity and one that was full of promise.

Vikram Phadnis' show that preceded Ferreira's was full of glitz and glamour.

Bollywood celebrities sitting in the front row, heavy ghagras on the ramp, well-known faces being show stoppers.

It was what fashion has become today.

Ferreira's show stuck to the basics. No gold embellishments, no embroidery and certainly no Bollywood.