 | « Back to article | Print this article |
LFW's biggest ever fashion extravaganza: Part 2
In a one of a kind showing, 20 of India's biggest designers got together to celebrate 10 years of Lakme Fashion Week. Ritu Beri, Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra and the like showcased winning creations in quick succession. Don't miss the first half!
Designers Anshu and Jason, riffing off the 'Fruit Shock' theme, showed how Earth's pure and natural substances can easily co-exist with technology. In his 'Now' outfits, Jason seemed to fuse retro seventies designs with modern sensibilities.
Note the semi-psychedelic, Andy Warhol-esque colours and patterns in both outfits.
Anshu and Jason explore eternity
According to Anshu and Jason, kitsch is eternal. A veritable feast for the eyes, this purple, red and orange creation stretches our imagination to the limit, in ways we like!
Tarun's fabulous fireworks
Top-flight designer Tarun Tahiliani celebrated the very spirit of festivity with his 'fireworks' theme.
Note the Charleston components of the first two gowns, cutting-edge takes on Tarun's fireworks theme. This ain't no normal cocktail dress. Yowza!
Eternally Egyptian
This airy, breezy, golden gown flies in the face of everything Occidental, while still retaining a timeless, classic appeal.
Malini's Regal Mosaic
Malini Ramani's kaftans mixed and matched, perfectly underscore her theme of Mosaic. Note the mind-blowing, ornate embroidery.
Classic evening wear
This reminds us a bygone Hollywood era, while still pointing toward a future that's yet to be fulfilled. Bold stripes, saucy embellishing and a suggestive cut make this a timeless yet provocative garment.
Monisha's prim and proper peppermint
Monisha Jaising spiced up sweltering Mumbai with her theme, pure peppermint. Monisha is twice as nice with these funky creations, which hark back to 70's retro, while still being cutting-edge in 2009.
Simple yet timeless
Monisha, after dazzling us with bright colours in her first two creations, scaled things back in her 'Forever' design, with a simple, clean shape and muted colours. This garment oozes style, comfort and most importantly wearability.
Varun Bahl: Hint of spice, breath of ice
Floral for the win
Have a drink on Ritu Beri's 'Happy Hour'
Ritu Beri's dazzling, ethnic-inspired creations earned 'oohs' and 'awws'. Geometrical patterns, gorgeous gold and red colours and an overwhelming coherence lent the pieces particular strength.
In response to Ritu's theme, Happy Hour, we have only one thing to say: This drink is on us!
The future of Indian formal wear
This staggeringly stunning Indian formal garment by Ritu Beri left onlookers gasping. The interplay between rich golds and subtle hues of blue creates an effortless, regal allure.
Sabyasachi, a true Indian free spirit
Legendary Indian designer Sabyasachi described the adventurous woman by day and sophisticated by night with his two creations. Using rural techniques for fabric and threadwork, Sabyasachi's modern-day Indian woman is one to reckon with!
Bikini blouse
Black velour and red flowers, bikini blouse? We like, very much. Sabyasachi, recognised as a true genius in the Indian fashion fraternity, has done it again with this timeless, eternal take on rural Indian wear.
Manish Malhotra explores life itself
Silver and gold? It's a classic combination that Manish Malhotra has managed to make cutting edge. Note how the celebrated designer toys with issues of transparency and draping, with his modern-day riffs on the classic Indian sari.
Royal, elegant, truly Indian
Manish Malhotra, never one to back down from occasioned Indian wear, shows us his vision of the Indian sari of all eternity. And our reaction? We like, sir. Very much. Please give us more.
Narendra Kumar tastes new experiences
Oriental cocktail dresses from uber-stylish designer Narendra Kumar earned effusive praise from those in attendance. Who wouldn't want to show up to a party in one of these?
Metallic machinations
Kumar's forever is one of bronze and gold, tight-fitting creations and exquisite cuts. This semi-androgynous outfit is downright spectacular.
Anamika's Bridal Sutra brings down the house
Anamika Khanna, in an ode to the beauty of the Indian bride, showed two natural, feminine, expressive, powerful garments. Gold broqueted on white and gray broqueted on white. It's an unstoppable combination.
Bridal: Today, tomorrow, forever
Anamika combines rustic, tried-and-true Indian formal techniques with a flair for expressive experimentation. The result? This fantastic garment. Try wrapping your head around this one!
The Fashion Fraternity takes the stage
And the moment we all were waiting for, as 20 of India's top designers took the stage together. Moments like this don't come often. It's fantastic that so much talent was concentrated together, for all of India to celebrate!
Cheers, boys and girls! 10 years on and you're still going strong. Indian high fashion is here to stay!