India's biggest designers come together: Part 1

Last updated on: September 19, 2009

Photographs: Sanjay Sawant

It doesn't get any bigger than this. Twenty of India's biggest, best-known designers descended on the Grand Hyatt in Kalina, Mumbai for an all-out fashion extravaganza: the final show of Day One of the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

In a tribute to Lakme Fashion Week's 10th year of success and distinction, each of the 20 designers first walked us through a 'Then' aesthetic in audio-visual form, by introducing their Grand Finale collections from past seasons. The journey continued with each designer showing two more looks: a 'Now' design to represent their theme in today's fashion consciousness, and a 'Forever' design to represent their theme eternally, classically.

Whether it was Sabyasachi's 'Freespirit' theme or Tarun Tahiliani's 'Fireworks' exposition, each and every designer brought his or her A game, in what will certainly be remembered as one of Lakme Fashion Week's all-time great shows! Bravo!

And hey, make sure to check out the second half of the show right here.

We start off with the 'Now' creations of Bobby and Manju Grover, representing Colors on the ramp. Two feminine, flirty numbers in deep wine and red sashay out.

The designer duo then move to a classic, timeless blue gown with a hint of sparkle and empire-waist bodice.

Over to Monapali, with a set of two lovely light saris.

Monapali's 'future' ensemble is the third and prettiest sari, a striking purple against transparent pale.

Flouncing green and seductive black make for a clean silhouette from Rathore.

The designer then moves to a textured black ensemble with sparkle and an overstated neckpiece for effect.

Next up is the Sparkle segment of the show, with sensual cutwork outfits by Rina Dhaka kicking things off.

Dhaka then moves to the diametric opposite, a pristine white sari.

Rohit Bal takes over where Dhaka left off, with overstated ruffles and a bit of cutwork too.

Bal's showstopper is this ivory tent-like twirler, complete with flowery headgear.

Rajesh Pratap Singh is up next, with shimmering black jackets with sharp cuts.

Pratap Singh then presents white, with knotted detail and a very rural-textile feel to it.

Suneet Verma is next on the runway with his flowery fine ladies in netted lace gowns.

Gold and red brocade move in, with feathery touches to boot.

Boots, jeans and jackets define Arjun Khanna's 'Trreasures'.

Khanna shows his futuristic side teaming traditional togs with sparkling makeup and an outlandish hairdo.

The Treasures segment also saw JJ Vallaya's models in lovely ethnic jackets and fitted pants.

Valaya ups the ante with this ghagra choli, topped off with eccentric rouched motif.

The 'Fruit Shock' segment has Akki Narula's roped-in designs that are meant, we're guessing, to shock you (the hotpants do, anyway!).

And we could make neither head or tails of this bed-mattress inspired 'costume' (we can only call it that) -- the back actually had a cane chair attached! So much for the future!

See the second half of the show here.