Straight Answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Seema Sherrif, designer, on <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Never Land, </span>her new Hollywood assignment:<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How did you and your mother Jamila bag this project?</span><br />We had worked with London-based designer Alexandra Byrne before on <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Elizabeth.</span>For all the films after that, she didn''t require costumes with embroidery. So when she got the offer for <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Never Land, </span>Alexandra thought of us immediately. The film is loosely based on the author of Peter Pan. It''s a fictional love story and also talks about how JM Barrie created Peter Pan.<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">So do the costumes have a fairy tale element? </span><br />The costumes aren''t far-fetched. But since we came in with the fantasy element, the costumes are fairly light. We have used fairy-like autumn leaf motifs, black on gold spiderweb designs in antique zari, white and silver floral designs. For some outfits we''ve used yards and yards of net.<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How different was designing for this movie as compared to </span><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="" font-style:="" italic="">Elizabeth?</span><span style="" font-style:="" italic=""></span><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">It was definitely different. Also compared to Elizabeth, this project wasn''t so long drawn out. For this film we used more of our imagination, whereas for Elizabeth, a lot of detailed research was required. There is huge scope for Indian designers internationally. People there are amazed by the work that we are doing. However, we just need support and some corporate backing to be more visible internationally.</span><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="" font-style:="" italic="">What is your inspiration?</span><span style="" font-style:="" italic=""></span><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">My inspiration keeps changing, but it has always been something old and beautiful that I try to make contemporary. I love to work with things that have some kind of depth and history. I pull it out and give it my vision. Working with my mother Jamila is fabulous too, because you''re partners in every sense. You can fight and forget about it. Also, two minds are always better than one.</span></div> </div>