Rahul Mishra: Day 2 WIFW

When Rahul Mishra won the International Woolmark Prize for 2013-14,  we rejoiced, not only because he was an Indian designer but mostly because his work is so nuanced and progressive that it places him at the top of his league. As the finale of Day 2, his show could not have been placed better. Taking from the eight petal lotus, this collection was a beautiful palette of whites, blues and blacks. The merino wool here is engineered to create a permanent tie and dye that is so pleasing to the eye as it is tactile to feel. The collection was easy and wearable and left me wanting for more. Here’s to many more awards, Rahul Mishra.

Authored by Shreya Kalra of For The Love of Fashion and Other Things

Nikasha: Day 2 WIFW

Nikasha Tawadey showcased at Day 2 of WIFW with a range of clothing from sarees to anarkalis to A-line kurtis with pants. The use of gossamer fabric along with the obvious choices of georgette gave Nikasha a whole new Autumn Winter Feel. I was definitely a fan of the cherry blossom metallic embroidery on her Anarkalis and the shimmering wide legged pants. There was a serious use of ombre shading in her line and the colour palette went from a palatable peachy pink to dusty rose and finally to rich reds and warmer pinks. The show ended with a flower shower on the models which definitely added to the entire experience of a walk in a rosy garden.

 

Authored by Shreya Kalra of For The Love of Fashion And Other Things

Myoho Studio, Prama by Pratima Agarwal and Vaishali S: Day 2 of WIFW

Myoho Studio by Kiran Jaisinghani and Meghna Agarwal showcased a collection titles ‘Soul Souk’ and what a collection it was. The colour palette was a display of Indian colours like sindoor red, persian blue and charcoal grey. The silhouettes were simple and the block prints endearing. The Moroccan sensibility of the collection showed through in the drapes and the motifs. Definitely a designer duo to look out for.

Prama by Pratima Pandey’s collection the ‘Singing Sparrow’ transported us to a garden of love. With flouncy silhouettes and heavy layering, the collection utilised chanderi silk in a beautiful format. The colour palette was about soulful reds and slate blacks. The embroidered sheer tops flaunted cotton lining peeking from beneath. Truly a breathtaking collection.

 

Vaishali S drew her inspiration from a Hindustani Classical raga and I am certain it struck the right cord with us. The austere whites in her collection were displayed in a variety of fabrics that included woven silk and khaki. The saree with the peplum blouse in the woven silk was a definite winner.

Authored by Shreya Kalra of For The Love of Fashion and Other Things

Shantanu & Nikhil: WIFW 2014

With soft orchestrated music playing in the background and Shantanu & Nikhil’s muse carrying a book in her hand, we time traveled to the pre-independence era with this show. It managed to steal the limelight at Day 1 simply with the key funda of stunning clothing even without drama. The clothes brought back memories of the British raj what with the Victorian column gowns, fish cuts and english drapes. The paisley motif on an Indian palette on jackets and rich gowns with minimal embroidery made the collection a hit. Even the sarees and lehengas had a touch of the English flavour to them. The colour palette went from soft pinks to peaches to ivories. The men’s collection touches hints of pink and moved towards reds and flaunted some soft draping of shawls too.

Authored by:

Shreya Kalra of For The Love Of Fashion And Other Things

Top five striking red pieces from Day 1: WIFW 2014

From Tarun Tahiliani’s depiction of ‘Satlada’ inspired pieces to Anupama Dayal’s erotic Indian woman, each collection on Day 1 had a distinct tale to tell. Amidst all the monochrome loving and pastel hues display, one colour that refuses to be forgotten is red. On Day 1 too this colour outshone most others and we pick the outfits that redefined the timeless appeal of the rosy hue. Take a look at our top four most striking red pieces from Day 1. Which ones were yours?

Authored by:

Shreya Kalra of For The Love of Fashion And Other Things

Tarun Tahiliani

Anupama Dayal

Shantanu & Nikhil

Vineet Bahl

 

Top five fashion moments of Day 1: WIFW

Day 1 at Wills India Fashion Week (A/W) 2014 kicked of with shows by Tarun Tahiliani, Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Anupama Dayaal, Amit Agarwval, Shantanu & Nikhil and a few others. While most of the shows lacked in the glitterati of Bollywood usually gracing the ramp, we pick our favourite five fashion moments of the day on the ramp. Celebrating the top five fashion looks of WIFW, Day 1. Take a look at what caught our fancy the most.

 

Authored by:

Shreya Kalra of For The Love of Fashion And Other Things

Tarun Tahiliani’s Indian textile magic

Kiran Uttam Ghosh reinvents metallics and molten embroideries

Anupama Dayal presents her classic Indian woman in a new sexy avatar in a host of bright colours

Rina Dhaka spins a tale of monochrome magic with fun party outfits and hints of metallics

Shantanu & Nikhil tell a story of world travels and bring back Victorian column gowns

Tarun Tahiliani: Master couturier

When Tarun Tahiliani steps out of the box to create a collection, he goes all the way. Models sashayed down the ramp in beautifully draped modern sarees, anarkali cut kurtis with pants and jackets over skirts. With accessories like ghungroo hair bands and stacks of black metal bangles and jhumkas to complement the looks, Tarun Tahiliani definitely created wonders at Wills India Fashion Week A/W, 14. Our favourites definitely were the heavy dhoti pants by Tarun T.

The show stoppers to bring the show to a graceful end included Shilpa Shetty, Harman Baweja and Ayesha Khanna.

Authored by:

Shreya Kalra of For The love of Fashion and other things 

 

Ashdeen & Zhen & Mossi shows along with Rajat K. Tangri & Shehla Khan in Details at Day 4 of Lakme Fashion Week

The show at 1:30pm had 3 designers showcasing their designs. I was a bit late for the show and was unfortunate enough to miss the Anushka Khanna show, but was in for the Ashdeen show.

The Ashdeen show was a bright affair. There were lot of traditional wear, mainly sarees with touches of floral works & motifs all over. There were beautiful bright reds. Pastels and lovely turban-styled head gears was seen too. There was obviously a rustic vintage touch.

The Zhen & Mossi show started with a touch of drama with a heart-warming dance performance. The dancer performed with beauty & grace and started the show with a beautiful positive note. The collection started with a lot of ruffles along with glimpses of bling. Sheer fabric in blues were seen along with bright floral prints. Jadestone work jewelleries with art-form prints and white motif work were shown in the collection. The models wore nude heels and displayed long hair with dewy skin.  This was indeed a cinematic show with lot of drama and shades.

Rajat K Tangri had a lot of metallic influence in his work. Satins in Turquoise & silver with a whole lot of sequin work were seen. Flowing fabrics like chiffon & georgette in peaches and silver panelled suits were also present in his collection. Greyish silver, white golden and silvery sequins both in wardrobe and accessories were noticed. The most impressive part was the lime green eyeliners applied on the models.

Shehlaa by Shehla Khan was a show that started with white with silver work. As the show continued colours were slowly introduced with shiny blues and lovely use of templework done on the fabric.  Nude pumps & lovely leaf motifs were present on pastel hued outfits. The show ended with the glamourous presence of Nargis Fakhri.

Celebs on Day 5 at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014

Diana Penty stepped onto the ramp for Junelia Aguiar in a fairytale inspired black and white off-shoulder gown with crystal work at the waist.

Super-talented actress Konkona Sen Sharma did complete justice to her intellectual image when spotted at Payal Khandwala’s show in a fluid saree drape.

Priyanka Chopra strutted down the ramp in a white long slit silk kaftan with a lavish splash of shimmer when she concluded the show for Neeta Lulla.

The show stopper at SS Surya’s summer/resort 2014 event was Bollywood star Sonal Chauhan who walked the ramp in a beige mini which had lavish embroidery.

To match the sensuous but sophisticated look of Jyotsna Tiwari’s creations, the very sexy, seductive, Sunny Leone glided down the catwalk in a figure hugging layered fish-tail net gown covered in glittering crystals.

Olympic medal winner – boxer, Vijender Singh rocked down the ramp doing some shadow boxing in a striped jacket, kurta and baggy salwars as he concluded the show for Archana Kochhar.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, the brand ambassador of Lakme glided in a fabulous long sleeved V-neck, low back glittering black gown as showstopper at the much hyped finale presented by ace designer Rajesh Pratap Singh.

Top 5 Sarees from Day 5 at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014

Garments at Archana Kochhar’s summer/resort 2014 show at Lakme Fashion Week derived inspiration from the Pop Art Paris map, to the Eiffel Tower and spring blossoms, the images were turned into digital prints and combined with monochromatic black stripes and checks. Resort wear just got an Indo-western twist with this black and white stripe and check saree.

Debashri Samanta showcased a quirky, fun collection titled ‘Summer Houses’ at Jabong Stage during Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014. This handloom Jamdani saree in Popsicle orange and beige has a playful ardour.

This playfully printed creation by Jyotsna Tiwari on day five at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 draws inspiration from beach weddings that spell glamour on the sand, sea and under the moonlight.

Known for her ultra-glam Red Carpet creations and stunning bridal couture, Neeta’s Diffusion line was a vibrant and scintillating offering for the fashion conscious woman. Neeta gives a new style direction to this saree which is a blend of Bollywood glamour with couture chic.

Aimed at the bold uninhabited sensuous elegant woman, this soft and fluid jewel tone saree designed by Payal Khandwala concludes our top five saree picks from day five at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014.