If Melange stands for a mixture/ medley or just an assortment of things, so was the fashion event that kick started the two-day exhibition. From bridal bling to earthy, unconventional garments in handlooms, there was something for everyone. The opening sequence was in tune with the festive season and showcased wedding collection that had bling written all over it.
Vinita Passary's wedding creations drew liberally from ancient embroidery patterns, the timeless mango motif that has come back in vogue with a vengeance and the South Indian half sari silhouette. Clearly meant to be ostentatious, the half saris and lehengas in off-whites and fuschia made a statement with large mango motifts highlighted with embroidery and encrusted in pearls. With the borders of the half saris carefully embroidered with pearls, you could give jewellery a miss.
Designers of Anonym, known for their alternative take on fashion, challenged the rules of fashion with their bold, funky and definition-defying styles and cuts. For a change, resort wear didn't mean flimsy gowns in georgettes and chiffons. Instead, you had shift dresses in brooding yet striking black and white by Kallol Dutta, Anuj Sharma's Button Masala collection with fabrics skilfully taking the form of dresses without any use of stitches and held together cleverly by buttons, off shoulder drape dresses by Sailex and ethnic fabrics that were turned contemporary in Aneeth Arora's line with ‘glocal' appeal. The collections were one of their kinds and not dictated by seasonal trends.
The finale featured ethnic handloom dresses by Paromita Banerjee. Khadi, cottons and muls ruled in her effortlessly tailored dresses and kurtas that offset black, white and grey outfits with colourful shawls, stoles and drapes with delicate embroidery and ikkat. The earthy line was a stark contrast to the wedding line that opened the show.
