The fashion industry went on an overdrive this month, first with the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 in Mumbai followed closely by Delhi Couture Week 2012. There were plenty of collections that one could add to the lust list for their wardrobes.
Most designers had an eye on the forthcoming festive and wedding market and came out with Indian wear in bright colours. A few designers chose to think beyond bridal and festive garments that guarantee brisk business and put forth cutting-edge collections. They showcased outfits in black and white and muted tones. Palazzo pants, asymmetric hemlines and structured garments — there was something for everyone. Here’s a look at a few collections:
Priyadarshini Rao paired up palazzo pants with peplum jackets and made the combination stand out in shades of grey, black and tarnished charcoal. She also used jackets with belts, angarkha short tops, drop crotch salwars and crinkle pants teamed up with kimono tops.
Isha Dangwar and Priyanka Rai’s label ‘Patola’s new collection drew inspiration from the Myan idea of the world coming to an end. Jackets, blazers, dresses and skirts were targeted at young women with contrasting colours of black, white and deep red, accessorised with colourful retro sunglasses. Patola positions itself as an eco-friendly label and the outfits were put together by working on pieces of leftover fabrics.
The outfit (see pic) by Asa Kazingmei has already earned a fan following on fashion forums. Inspired by traditional textiles of Naga tribes, the collection titled ‘Immortal’ used unusual thread work and weaves. The abstract prints notwithstanding, Asa used asymmetric hemlines to make the outfit look dramatic.
Loose, flowy garments were the highlight of Debarun Mukherjee’s new collection titled ‘Omnipresent’. In colours of blue, beige and black, Debarun used Bhagalpur weaves to design flared and layered dhoti skirts, mandarin collar tops and pleated pants.
Re-interpreting fashion from the 50s was Sailex NG, showcasing elegant girly outfits with swirling skirts, blazer suits, jackets and peplum coats with sharp collars in black and white.
Apart from Sailex NG, whose designs bordered on androgynous, there was Ruchika Sachdeva who displayed sharply cut blazers and trousers and contrasted them with elegant silk blouses, shirt dresses and pleated dresses.
Kallol Datta, who vehemently stays away from bling, signed off LFW in style with the grand finale. Kallol’s mix and match line in black and white had motifs of faces, snails and safety pins on tunics, voluminous skirts and gowns with tassels. Kareena Kapoor walking the ramp in Kallol’s tunic with snail prints was a sign that Kallol had arrived in the big league.
