Right after the fashion fervour at India Couture Week 2017, aficionados found their calendars packed again with Lakmé Fashion Week‘s Winter/Festive 2017 edition. A season that is looked forward to with much gusto, it kick starts wardrobe curation for the upcoming wedding season as collections can be shopped right off the runway.
Aashni + Co took in all the action from the front-row and brings you updates from Day 1-3 in this edition. Watch out for Part II for all the buzz from the two closing days of the event.
Masaba: For the Quirky Bride
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Masaba Gupta never fails to make an impression. This time around she showcased her sarees with a Victorian twist. The streamlined corset sarees made a bold statement, along with bright, breezy capes and lehengas with tribal and Warli-inspired embroideries. The colour palette consisted of varying shades of classical Indian emeralds, raani pinks, and pale blues, and their were interesting additions like fanny packs for the bride and bridesmaids.
Sailesh Singhania: For the Royal Goddess
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Sailesh Singhania’s ‘The Winter Rose’ collection paid tribute to the princesses of India who enjoyed being innovative with saris. Vibrant hues of orange, purple, fuchsia pink, and emerald green were fused with exceptional gold zari work. Each saree came teamed with a trench coat, a pea coat, or an overcoat, taking the elegance factor up a notch. The beautiful motifs splashed across the royal collection comprised roses, chandeliers, teapots and cups, and the iconic jewelled brooch.
Nikita Mhaisalkar: For the Party Girl
Shop this collection fresh off-the-runway on A+CO.
Mhaislkar went the luxe knitwear route with a collection relying heavily on glitzy outerwear. Sweaters, cloaks, organza and woven pants, knitted sarees, coats, and trenches made up the key pieces of the fluid line. The colour story of steel, slate and charcoal was juxtaposed with pops of tangerine, adding a hint of artsy flair to the glamorous pieces.
Anavila: For the Sophisticated Fashionista
Anavila Misra drew attention to the soft and romantic side of classic shades like black and grey in fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, and wool. Anavila made use of Gujarat’s renowned hand-block printing and Jharkhand’s Khatwa embroidery, creating new-age ensembles that can be worn all day; for instance, saris that can be paired with a tee during the day, and a jacket over a metallic blouse, in the night.
Gaurang: For the Traditional Bride
Gaurang used frescos from Ajanta caves as hand-painted Kalamkari on Kanchipuram silk, hence creating exquisite, one-of-a-kind pieces in his ‘Chitravali’ collection. The designer chose natural dyes, such as red from pomegranate seeds, yellow from harde, blue from indigo, and black from blending iron, resulting in a splendid colour palette. The Kalamkari technique looked magnificent on Kanchipuram silk brocades with glittering golden borders, which were further enhanced with the Korvai weaving technique, perfect for the winter/festive season.
Eka: For the Laid-back Romantic
Characterised by soft, gentle layering, Eka’s winter/festive collection was all about unfinished floral motifs, block-printed textiles in art mosaic, and embroidery on washed and over-dyed linen, linen wool, and silk blended with metallic yarns. The poetic line had the ideal romantic colour story ranging from shades of cement, iron, indigo, cream, and charcoal to hues of nude, teal, and blush pink. Pea coats and blousons with subtle gold work, plain pinafores, front-tied soft coats, and low waist dresses made for easy, breezy ensembles.
Label by Ritu Kumar: For the Tropical Trooper
Ritu Kumar took the tropical route this season, with a touch of the ’80s, portrayed through a summery colour story. Fit-and-flare silhouettes, covered in vibrant prints strutted down the ramp. Monograms of fruits and flowers in embroideries and sequins dominated the line, which boasted of corsets, tassel belts, fishnet tights, wispy tutu skirts, and flowy dresses.
Rahul Mishra: For the Understated Bride
Rahul Mishra drew inspiration from the on-going monsoons to create pieces in his trademark traditional techniques and handloom embroidery. The designer showcased beautiful patterns of flora and fauna on Chanderi, Maheshwari, and Benarasi weaves. Floral motifs such as the lotus, marigold and Arabian jasmine stood out on kurtas, dupattas, lehengas, sarees, and jackets. The colour palette included hues of yellow, purple, fuchsia, orange, red, coral, and black, along with a range of pastel colours.
Chola: For the Minimalist with a Twist
Chola’s sustainable line explored the opposing forces of black and white to create balance with contemporary, asymmetrical garments. Created with ‘Recca’, a recycled, soft cotton fabric, the collection explored herringbone and checkered weaves in the form of layered and voluminous silhouettes.
Doodlage: For the Edgy Environmentalist
Doodlage‘s ‘Dreams and Dystopia’ made use of industrial scraps, defective fabric, and end-of-the-line fabrics, hence turning sustainability into art. With a heavy focus on patchwork in a variety of colours and prints, the line boasted of deep tones of navy, maroon, and sap green mixed with lighter hues of blue and grey. Styled with distinctive headgears, the edgy collection presented sustainability in style.
Ekam: For the Athleisure Enthusiast
Skilled at combining traditional Indian embroidery with western silhouettes, Ekam presented its signature boxy athleisure designs. Bold, printed hoodies were paired with anti-fit silhouettes in shades of black, with subtle touches of white and red. Drawstring pants, slim waists, trench coats, and maxi skirts were the highlights of this modern, wearable collection.
Catch PART II of our LFW report here.
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