Sparkling dresses, detailed embroidery work and a collaborative venture between a couturier and jewellery designer were some of the striking features of the recently concluded India Fashion Fest at New Delhi’s Paschim Vihar.
At the finale, the most ubiquitous garment was surprisingly T-shirts, emblazoned with different species of birds. It might have done an ornithologist proud but certainly did not leave a lasting impression on the audience.
As far as garments were concerned, there was not much competition. The only one who stood out in the finale was Meerut-based designer Mohammad Javed, who exhibited a fusion collection. He used textured fabric in retro colours and embellished them with appliqué work. The designer seemed to believe in the much-said statement, diamonds are forever. “I drew inspiration from diamonds. Therefore, I chose fluctuating colours like pink, blue and prints of tiger stripes,” he said.Draped in Jodhpuris and Nehru jackets, the men did not walk with the confidence and panache of a professional though.
On the positive side, a serious attempt was made to explore the dressing style of the indigenous communities of Africa by Jaipur-based Manisha Dalmia. Before embarking on her collection, she said she did exhaustive research work on it.
“During my research, I was impressed with the fact that African art has survived despite invasions and colonial powers intimidating tactics to maintain their hegemony,” she said. Dalmia chose kaftans, also dhotis, with African motifs. The models exhibiting her outfits flaunt African hair-dos. An interesting jugalbandi was between jewellery designer Pankaj Verma and designer Dhruv Monga, who presented different trends in diamonds which went well with the garments. Dhruv showcased his collection “Tropical Therapy” with a bold transformation in silhouettes and tones. The Indo-Western collection reinforced the point that classic charm never goes out of style.
Amidst loud cheers, Pankaj presented his recent collection in front of a packed audience. The collection was classical yet contemporary, creating a niche with distinctive designs. Jewels were also displayed in antiques and Rajputana designs. Magnificent bangles, necklaces studded with uncut diamonds, precious gemstones, royal necklaces with multiple rows of ruby drops, heritage necklace with triangular cabochon emeralds and vintage peacock cuff were the highlight in accessories.
