Anushka Khanna presents “Boom, Boom, Bloom”
Anushka Khanna’s collection called “Boom, Boom, Bloom,” made great fashionable music on the runway at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014. The designer’s inspiration travelled around the globe and halted in New York where the slips, pyjamas, belted kimono jackets and shorts were seen in summer. Moving to studio 54, Anushka’s jazzy lamé wrap dresses and sexy maxis reflected the look of that era.
The collection dominated by the flower power motif was seen as prints as well as embellishments. A photograph of her mother from the 1970’s was the inspiration for the moody floral hues.
Strappy beaded tube dresses, silver embroidered shifts, two toned kimono dresses, metallic skirt and shirt, cutwork shimmering wrap, a dazzling gold biker’s jacket with a khaki jersey gown and finally a silver striped one-sleeve orange creation were impressive entries.
Focussing on placement and geometric embellishments Anushka Khanna’s Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 collection will be a blooming success on the fashion racks next season.
Zhen & Mossi’s Debut Collection “Poetry of a Tear”
Making their debut at Lakmé Fashion Week Sumer/Resort 2014 designers Zhen and Mossi’s dazzling collection called “Poetry of a Tear” was an ethereal offering.
The combination of French designer Mossi Traoré and talented Chinese creator Zhen has presented amazing collections around the world since they met in 2005 at the International School MOD’Art.
The dual personality of the designers was the result of the stunning line of garments aimed at satisfying the sartorial instincts of the global woman. The line of silk ensembles embellished with intricate embroidery had a noticeable Indian feel since creator Mossi Traoné’s visits to India have been a constant inspiration.
Opening the show with graceful French actress Aurelia Khazan, the mood of the collection was set for ethereal creations.
The predominantly white show with hints of blue and prints; the designers revealed their expertise with fabric texturing of a very high-level. Draped long sleeved wing collar mini, a plunge neck rouched bodice with kerchief hem, peplum shorts, accordion pleated mini, sheer jacket with shawl collar, translucent jumpsuit over a body suit and the black spiked hem dress were amazing fashion offerings. The dusty blue wrap kaftan gown and the multi abstract printed pleated bubble dress broke the white flow of the show.
The final ruffled cape over a shimmering white lace mini showed drama from the two designers.
The very opulent necklaces that added to the beauty of the creations were abstract in design and style to match the collection’s mood.
For women who long for fashion that has an amalgamation of French sensibilities and Indian ethos “Poetry of a Tear” by Zhen and Mossi had the perfect combination.
Ashdeen Lilaowala creates retro magic with “Orient Express”
Bringing to centre stage retro oriental glamour inspired by the beautiful Hollywood actress, Anna May Wong, Ashdeen Lilaowala’s collection aptly called “Orient Express” at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 had all the drama, excitement and exotic touches.
Opening the show was the sensational voice of opera singer, Delna Mody whose rendition of “O Solo Mio” and “Come Back to Sorrento” through the display evoked thunderous applause from the audience.
Giving the cheongsam or quipao a New Age touch, Ashdeen turned it into body-con creations with glittering metallic work, added floral Chantilly lace and topped them with Mandarin collars, frog closures and beaded fringes. There were sensuous touches for this ultra-evening wear line as peonies and chrysanthemums were splashed in bunches while prancing peacocks were in the forefront with intricate stitch work. Colours remained relevant to the Oriental theme as cream, fuchsia, Mandarin orange, black, ruby red and gold highlighted the column and hourglass silhouettes.
Ashdeen opened the show with an ecru sheath with red centre embroidery followed by a white bubble dress with 3D roses strategically placed on the body. Orange/fuchsia sari with Chinese Gara embellished choli, gold lace sari with mandarin collar blouse, stunning black lace sheath with tonal embroider and the blood red lace long-sleeved column dress recreated the mood perfectly.
Silver pants with net layers were worn with sheer blouse, while a red sari with a majestic gold peacock on the pallav was gorgeous. The final black lace gown with shimmering sequins and multicoloured roses down the front was a superb end to a show of great elegance, style and innovative embellishment placements.
Fabrics were luxurious lace, organza, lush crepe, brocade, satin and gold lamé, which were highlighted by cutwork veiling and halter necklines. Mention must be made of the very oriental ornaments by Zariin Jewellery featuring necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings in crushed gold or silver plating with precious gems.
For that Far Eastern retro chic, Ashdeen Lilaowala’s “Orient Express” will put women on a stylish fashion track anywhere in the world.
Sanjay Hingu’s nostalgic fashion trip “Back to School”
“Men will be boys” they say, so Sanjay Hingu got his inspiration from school uniforms for his collection “Back to School” presented at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014. Sanjay recreated the nostalgia of those fun filled carefree school days with a colour palette of white, khaki, blue with a splash of pink reminiscent of uniforms.
Opting for checks that are normally associated with the school attire, he embellished them with subtle digital prints to create a fun summer element for the clothes.
Remaining true to his sharp tailored look, Sanjay kept the silhouettes crisp and constructed for men’s wear this season.
The show opened with a stark white jacket having a kiddie print on sleeves followed by a blouson with a giant bus image at the back. Double and single breasted jackets were lean and short with two back vents and narrow lapels. Adding a hint of detailing Sanjay allowed piping for yokes and then moved to a sporty blazer with embroidered chevrons on the sleeve. A solo checked dungaree, blouson with contrast knit sleeves, floral prints for collars and pockets flaps, a peach jacket with satin shawl collar and the final fully printed suit completed the very youthful collection.
Bringing in a relaxed aspect to the garments; Sanjay Hingu’s offered a great trendy look for men who want to relive their happy childhood memories in an innovative manner through their fashion statements.
Atithi Gupta’s soulful creative “Meraki”
Calling her collection “Meraki”, which means ‘soul, creativity or love’ in Greek, Atithi Gupta presented a sensuous feminine women’s wear line at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014.
Light as air dresses were in chiffon, georgette, tussar and organza while crinkled crepé was turned into dreamy short jackets and shrugs. The colour palette balanced the fabrics perfectly as Monaco Blue, Paloma grey, cayenne and coral added to the beauty of the embroidery for slinky maxis.
Fringes added that touch of feminine charm to floaty chiffon dresses while drapes and flouncy necklines completed the look. Intricately stitched pleats were rouched to form décolleté bodices which then ended up as elegant trials.
Highlights of the show were the asymmetric cut midi with cut-out back, the crinkled knotted slashed front draped gown, one-shoulder sari draped mini with cutwork bolero, twisted pleated gown, two toned rouched sari-gown and the jumpsuit with lace yoke.
Breezy, light hearted and utterly magical, Atithi Gupta’s “Meraki” collection was the perfect feminine addition to a women’s sartorial option.
Kommal Sood celebrated fabulous fashion with “Champagne Bubbles”
It was celebration time at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 when Kommal Sood unveiled her collection called “Champagne Bubbles”.
Aimed at the resort and holiday dresser, the luxurious line was in muted tones which moved to ivory, taupe, champagne and then glittering gold and grey. Lush silk laces, specially woven for the collection dazzled with the bubble inspired clusters of embellishments, shimmering with Swarovski crystals.
Keeping the silhouette fluid and flowing with the long sheer fabrics over shimmering minis, Kommal offered several options like the sequinned willpower mini, the metallic cutaway shoulder dress, mirror work bodice gown, silver sheeting creation, grey toga and the empire-line maxi with crystal encrusted bodice. Minis had long draped panels swirling around them while tulle skirts were glamorously floating over thigh-high dresses.
Fabrics were textured cleverly to achieve a level of detailing that was delicately executed. Drapes were exquisite in form and structure for the every chic creation, while the sensuous fabrics added that touch of elegance.
Gliding in confidently to end the show was the very effervescent Kalki Koechlin in a glittering sequinned gold gown.
For a versatile scintillating fashion story Kommal Sood’s “Champagne Bubbles” will keep stylish women in the best of spirits wherever they go.
Jabong.com presented facinating Street Style
India’s leading online fashion website Jabong.com presented an innovative concept show titled ‘Jabong Street Style ’at the Jabong Stage during Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014.
The show was initiated with the idea of bringing together the fashion community on a single platform. The theme was a casual and chic atmosphere, where the fashion influencers would present their talent on their desired muse.
This was achieved by setting a balance between urban style and high fashion fantasy and using various clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, sunglasses etc. from Jabong.com. The influencers consisted of bloggers, editors and stylists, while the muses were models, actresses and dancers.
Model Carol Gracias enlightened the audience stating that they were very excited about their first edition of the Jabong Street Style. The styling of the show was made for the young, fuss-free, quirky and simply chic.
Silhouettes ranged from an array of casual denim dungarees with colourful bandanas, white lacy dresses with sleek hair, printed shorts paired with tank tops and torn shirts. Also seen were polka dotted slim skirts teamed with a tee shirt and boots, styled uniquely by the fresh talent.
The audience cheered vivaciously as they could easily connect with the looks they envied and tried to capture in their every day dressing.
This proved to be a boost for the budding and energetic youngsters who were making headlines in their various fashion fraternities. Models Erika Packard, Pia Trivedi and singer/VJ Anusha Dandekar walked the ramp flaunting their bold avatars and large smiles.
Jabong Street Style proved to be a truly remarkable and successful event at Jabong Stage during Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014.
Shantanu & Nikhil presents “The Shadows Within”
Nokia presented a memorable collection by Shantanu and Nikhil at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014. Inspired by their mythical, mystical, muse called Vanessa, the collection called “The Shadows Within” was a beautiful fashion journey in colours, textures and forms.
Inspired by the architecture of the pre-independence era, the designers recreated the colours that defined the look. In the collection were dusty rose, beige and mint-green but started with deep flaming red and chocolate brown.
Light sheer fabrics like organza and raw silk were perfectly balanced with rayon blends and poly jerseys. Embellishments were the very feminine delicate laces which were highlighted with embroidery.
There was grandeur in each entry, as gowns with impressive flat collars covered the shoulders. Gathered peplums, edged long-sleeved jackets, cape blouses, metres of organza swished over petticoats and embroidered bodices of the gowns were lavish. Long kurtas floated down the ramp, while sari gowns, pre-stitched to perfection were teamed with ornate corsets.
Laser cut sleek dresses had pleated covers and for ethnic glamour, a sherwani over layers of white net long skirt was stunning. Hemlines for jackets moved from cropped to waist and hip length, while dresses were midi to floor length. The final line up of lehengas with lace blouses, or bundgalas and a layered creation were sensational.
Men’s wear remained constant as looped hem kurtas were teamed with a variety of bundies in textures, weaves and colours. Sherwanis appeared in quick succession with embroidered cuffs/collars and balanced with super weaves.
Creating a timeless display, which was totally trans-seasonal, the Shantanu and Nikhil collection called “The Shadows Within” presented by Nokia evoked an Indo-western appeal with very prominent contemporary touches.
Arpita Mehta’s presents classy timeless collection
Arpita Mehta showcased a timeless, classy collection titled ‘Paradiso’ of contemporary Indian wear at Jabong Stage during Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014. Inspired by exotic Indian cultural arts and embroideries from different parts of the country, the outfits were crafted in textiles like flat chiffon, taffeta silk, organza and georgette satin.
The designer showcased modern Indian silhouettes like layered saris, tops, bodysuits, ethnic tunics, dhoti pants, lehengas, cover ups and gowns. Bold, iconic shades of canary yellow and indigo blue gave the range a fresh summer vibe, while pops of green and orange added a fun vibe. The pieces were embellished with decadent thread work further complemented by delicate mirror work and graced each piece with motifs, which ranged from geometric forms to floral accents. The show stopper was gorgeous Karisma Kapoor who graced the runway in pistachio green lehenga, flaunting gold embroidery and mirror work. Iconic, traditional yet bold, Arpita Mehta’s collection “Paradiso” will surely leave any fashion conscious Indian woman wanting more.
Anushree Reddy’s Indi-Western collection
Anushree Reddy’s collection titled ‘The Tale of a Bow’ at Jabong Stage during Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 was a classic yet contemporary take on Indian fashion. The show started with the melodious voice of popular singer, Shibani Kashyap who looked gorgeous in a pink accented white salwar with gold and silver appliqués. Youthful, charming and playful, this range made use of fun and versatile shades like stone grey, vintage pink, soft blush, teal blue, rustic brown, canary yellow along with natural beige. To add an ethereal charm of old-meets-new, the designer worked with rich fabrics such as malkha, Chanderi, kota, tulle, mulmul and satin on lightly structured silhouettes.
Indo-western pieces like cropped blouses, lehengas, Anarkalis, dresses, gowns, pants and cover-ups sported large innovatively placed bows in tune with the theme.The embellishments comprised zardosi work, pearl tassels, bling sequins, tube sequins and beads; while exaggerated volumes, intricate drapes helped to contour each form and worked to accentuate one’s body. Ending the show was beautiful Ileana D’Cruz who stunned all in a ravishing cream lehenga and peach toned blouse with sequins and embroidery.
Traditional yet bold, quirky yet subtle, ‘Tale of a Bow’ by Anushree Reddy was perfect for any fashionista who likes to shine.
Anju Modi’s collection “Seeking Paradise”
Day Four at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 concluded with Anju Modi’s debut collection, which was a vision of ethereal beauty. Called “Seeking Paradise” Anju wove a story of utter elegance and style with fragile feminine touches.
The sound of birds twittered all over the Grand Hyatt Ballroom and a giant backdrop of a beautiful serene forest created the right ambience for a paradise of fashion that was about to unfold before the packed audience.
The silhouettes exuded beautiful fluidity for the garments as the models glided down the ramp. Delicate visions of colour floated under the arc lights, as gentle powder blue, blush, soft cream and fresh coral added to the sensuous elegance of the perfectly crafted garments.
The intricate embellishments that highlighted the creations were inspired by the doorways to Utopian paradise. Intensely designed embroidery featured carved arches, filigreed windows and flowers of Eden which were generously splashed on the collection to add to the fantasy-like appeal.
Mixing prints, embroidery, colour and ombré effects for the majestic creations, Anju proved that she was an expert at creating dreamlike garments. Tailored dhoti was teamed with long sleeved choli, net pinafore allowed printed mini to appear coyly from under it. A jumpsuit looked elegant with the print of the theme, while tiny tie-up boleros over flowing angarkhas were a great combination. Asymmetry appeared for hemlines and luxurious flares were part of lehengas, gowns, tunics and kurtas. A solitary melon sari with an ornate border and the extended shoulder blouses with swallow backs were stylishly cut and finished.
Men’s wear had two-button jackets, in prints or shaded effects. Sherwanis were mid-length or flared into regal coats. Bundies were teamed with printed shirts and embroidery was splashed on sleeves, collars and hemlines of the different garments.
The show stopper was the elegant Malaika Arora Khan who glided in a blue/grey shaded empire-line net gown, lavishly embellished with floral embroidery.
Anju Modi’s imaginary wonderland filled with sensational creations called “Seeking Paradise” was an ideal offering to stylish men and women searching for a fashionable paradise.
