Fashion is an art that does not limit itself to clothes. “Folk Forward”, the preview show of “Rutbaa 2” held at Gurgaon, proved to be an interesting blend of luxurious fashion and soulful Sufi music. “Rutbaa 2” , which is making a comeback after its launch in 2012, showcased the cocktail line of Rabani and Rakha. The two-day-long exhibition will be held this Saturday and Sunday at The Grand Ballroom, The Grand, Vasant Kunj.
“After the launch last year, we had tremendous demand from people for the second season and, hence, we are back. Moreover, this time the stage is big as we have exhibitors from Dubai and London also,” said Hanish Gupta, Director of Woodpecker Hospitality, the organising body.
Expecting a footfall of 15,000 this year, Hanish added that the idea is to cater to a niche market. The two-day fashion and lifestyle exhibition will see the participation of 60 young and established designers from across the globe.
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The collection by Rabani and Rakha offered a fresh approach to glamorous gowns in grey and black. “The exclusivity of this collection is that a lot of knit has been used, which is not seen quite often in the Indian trousseau,” said Gautam Rakha, designer from Rabani and Rakha.
While the gowns were embellished with Swarovski and other surface work, looks were inspired by the rich Mughal heritage. Speaking about the collection, designer Abhi Singh said, “The cuts of the outfits are superb. Cocktail gowns are now being infused in Indian culture as well, which is a positive sign.”
The atmosphere was enlivened by the subtle Sufiana touch of the Nizami Brothers. The duo enthralled the audience with popular songs like “Alla Hoo” and “Khwaja Mere Khwaja”. Enthused by the response of the audience, the duo said, “It is encouraging to witness the response of the crowd and it was a good experience for us. Sufi music is something that fits in at all stages, whilst qawali has the power to connect hearts.” On the idea of blending Sufi with fashion, Nidhi Anand Gupta of Woodpecker Hospitality said that the synergy between lifestyle, fashion and Sufi was exuberant.
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