A Week Full of Glamour- Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive- 2014

Lakme Fashion Week is back and has taken the fashion quotient up a few notches this season. The Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014 took place from 20^th August to 24^th August, 2014 at the Palladium Hotel. Along with showcasing new talent, this event sees the who’s who of the fashion world descend to redefine fashion. Spread over five days, the event has over 80 fashion designers who dazzle the stage, each showcasing their unique sensitivity of fashion. 

This year’s winter collection was inaugurated by an opening show of Amit Aggarwal and Masaba Gupta. 

Both of the designers brought their unique styles that blended beautifully on the stage. 

Yogesh Chaudhary’s label ‘Surendri’ dazzled the ramp with his collection that was based on the movie ‘Chandrawal’. A celebration of the love that blooms amidst a Haryanvi summer, the collection incorporates the prime motif of a Sunflower, the main sight at a harvest. Red, mint greens, orange and tie and dye detailing with a touch of glitter highlighted the femininity of the collection. Silhouettes were classic ones like Jumpsuits, pleated skirts, body fitted dresses and a kimono adapted overcoat. But it was a modern lehenga consisting of a white crop top with sunflower prints and an emerald green dupatta with gold embroidery detailing that truly caught attention. 

A sensual collection presented by Krishna Mehta had a touch of traditionalism in it. On Textile Day, Krishna showcased her strength with Indian textiles. The glory of Indian handlooms from Benaras, Maheshwar, Bhagalpur and Manipir were given a new life on the ramp in the form of modern silhouettes that will appeal to today’s perceptive patrons. A tale of four distinctive colors layered with textures, and soft silhouettes were the basis of the various prints and tonal embroidery. 

Collaborating with TRESemme’s, Rocky S created a timeless collection that was hand crafted. Sharing TRESemme’s philosophy of every woman deserving to look their best, Rocky’s collection named ‘Rocky Star for TRESemmeSap’ allowed the ladies to indulge in the finest of women’s wear. The show aimed at bringing alive a woman’s transformation from stress to rejuvenation. Models walked down the ramp amidst a shower of dry leaves in lovely textured gowns. The show stopper Diana Penty underwent a live transformation as she unfurled her knotted gown to reveal a black jeweled gown. She then undid her scarf to showcase her beautiful tresses with the iconic waves of the 1940s. The dramatization did not end here; a burst of the fragrance of the new range of TRESemme engulfed the audience creating an ideal glamorous show. 

Anita Dongre gave Indian heritage a new interpretation. Presented by ‘Taj Mahal A Flavor of Darjeeling’, the collection called ‘India Modern’ was a reflection of mesmeric Indian craft. Taj has always also associated itself with classical music, which is why sitar maestro Niladri Kumar was seen playing live at the show. Inspired by the brand, he has composed a special raag called ‘Raag Darjeeling’ and the models walked to the notes of this raag during Anita’s show. The collection suited the contemporary thinking along with keeping the proud heritage alive.

This is just a small glimpse of the four daylong events that was filled with talent, glamour, fashion and more fashion! Names like Varun Bahl, Shantanu & Nikhil and Manish Malhotra are yet to come, and this will give fashion fanatics something to look forward to! 

A Week always in Fashion

This time of the year is an absolutely favorite for fashionistas everywhere; anyone who is remotely interested in fashion will vouch for that. The Lakme Fashion Week 2014 set the ramp afire in a way summer never could, for designers know best how to make things hotter than ever!

Tarun Tahiliani

The first day of Lakme Fashion week saw Tarun Tahiliani’s collection presented by Reliance Jewels, an ethereal setting included bouquets of white organza leaves hung from the ceiling. ‘Resort’ fashion was the theme for Tarun’s collection, which had garments for extravagant events while retaining the simplicity of the summer season. The range of soft neutral colors with delicate fabrics of cottons, chiffons, sheers and voiles along with the paisley motifs, layers and drapes added drama to the collection. 

Manish Malhotra

Designer Manish Malhotra commenced the Lakme Fashion Week with his collection called ‘A Summer Affair’. The stage was turned into a whimsical garden with feminine colors, soft hues, which were reflected in his collection. Love was evidently in the air as soft pinks, powder blues and ivory mingled with navy and gray.

Manish Malhotra

Beautiful prints and delicate embroidery were transformed into marvelous lehengas and gowns.  The show does not end there and a tang of metal and mirror depicted the edginess of a romance. Men’s collection on the ramp also exhibited the romantic element beautifully.The zip saris, lehengas with pockets, dress-styled kurtas and slim pants made for a very engaging affair.

Neeta Lulla

One of the best designers of our time, and the Dean of Whistling Woods Neeta LullaSchool of Fashion, Neeta Lulla, presented her collection called ‘Diffusion’. It is an Indo-Western Collection which seamlessly blends two different sensibilities and has created a distinctive sense of style. The resultant collection was developed after considering the evolving nature of the appeal a garment extends to its wearers. The collection employs uncomplicated cuts to create easy silhouettes including paired separates that proposes unique choices. The obvious plainness of the garments belies the sensual undertone upon which the collection has been built. With a tropical color palette of brown, blue, chutney green, printed beige, orange and shocking pink with muted Mokaish embellishments, Neeta Lulla’s Diffusion showcased an array of elegant monochromatic ensembles with the occasional Aztec accent. Priyanka Chopra walked down the ramp in a stunning white long slit silk kaftan with splash of shimmer, truly a show stopper!2014 for Neeta is bright with tropical colors, easy silhouettes and comfort wear with a trend that is inspired by global awareness.

Anita Dongre

Anita Dongre’s collection ‘Varanasi Weaves’ was a tribute to the traditional fabrics of India. Inspired by hand-woven cottons of Varanasi was a visual treat for fashion lovers. The collection was painted in rich colors of old rose, buttercup yellow, and powder blue along with dull, nude gold. Jackets in white linen, sheer shirts, waistcoats, kurtas, dhotis, bundgalas and slim trousers make for a stunning men’s wear. Anita weaved a magical evening with her collection.

Krishna Mehta

Krishna Mehta revives the ancient craft of Maheshwar in her collection named ‘Magic Woven in Maheshwar’. The handloom fabric from Maheshwar city in Khargone a district in Madhya Pradesh was weaved into fluid pants, skirts, tunics, boleros worn with saris and for men kurtas, cropped pants and jackets. Black, white, grey, red, orange, fuchsia, aqua, indigo and purple dominated the stunning collection. 

All in all, the Lakme Fashion week saw a burst of fashion, glamour and talent. But besides that fashion weeks can be a great source for acquiring knowledge which is why Belinda Bawa, one of the best illustrators in the industry and a faculty member of Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion, has given the students a task. The students are assigned to identifying silhouettes, surface textures and finishes are some of the tasks given to them. Seems like designers are not the only one who will be busy this week!