Day 1 of Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013

Day 1 was a blend of veteran designers & upcoming new breed of designers………..new ideas, new patterns, new silhouette is what we are hungry for every single season. IFP takes a look at the designers whose work stood out from the rest. Surely these designers will lay the ground rules for the upcoming Festive season.

Photo Courtesy : Vogue India

Nikhil Thampi

Nikhil Thampi had impressed us with his summer 2013 collection which had designs in sheer fabric, fish motifs & metallic accessories……that did indeed new trend. But this collection was based on contemporary Indian wear with faces of Kathakali dancers imprinted on the fabric………..there was no denying that Nikhil went back to his roots to draw inspiration for his recent works. And I thought the designer could make only western outfits………..feels good when  fashion-wise you are proved wrong…. 🙂

The collection consisted of Bolero jackets, Achkans, flare pants, sarees, demure gowns, flowy skirts etc. mostly done up in silk & sheer fabric. The colour palette had beige golden, white, black & ash grey.  My only wish would be to see more colours in Nikhil’s collection in future along with the surprise element of motifs which reflect his inspiration beautifully.

For this time, the designer has indeed has a good year as both his summer as well as festive collection have got noticed by the fashion circle. Hope Nikhil continues his fashion saga next year as well with his new ideas.

Payal Singhal

Payal Singhal has become a regular on IFP’s review of every season of Lakme Fashion Week. Her recent creations aptly titled as ‘Char Bagh’ better read as four gardens was Persian inspired was primarily done up in pastels, black, white & burgundy with hint of gotta patti work & embroidery. The motifs were a blend of monochromes & persian prints with a touch of geometry. Asymmetrical hemlines, patiala salwars & heavy detailwork around the neckline were prominent features seen in this collection.

I like the fact that Payal’s Indian wear designs are clean and contemporary. She blends the traditional well with modern and I am sure this collection will find plenty of takers.  Though the western wear is not a strong point in this collection, the Indian line makes up for it.  Payal has new ideas and is willing to experiment……that is a quality which impresses IFP.

Shilpa Reddy 

Shilpa Reddy showcased her collection ‘Suriyothai’ collection……….the name of the warrior queen of Thailand. The bright yellow & tangerine colours took centre stage while the exaggerated shoulder was a prominent Thai feature. The collection had sarees, evening gowns, skirts, lehenga, anarkalis and jackets.

Thai combined with Indians designs was a first for this season………something new is what IFP always like. Need to see more works of Shilpa in future too but this collection is a keeper for the festive season.

Anita Dongre 

There was a colour riot at the recent showcasing of Anita’ Dongre’s Timeless collection which had plenty of choices for the bride-to-be.  ‘The Jaipur Bride’ – title for Anita’s festive collection had loads of Lehengas, anarkali & sarees in bright neons colours which will make any bride stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Though I felt many designs were seen before in Anita’s collection but the heavily embellished Lehenga got my vote for this upcoming festive season. The colours were alluring and the detailing was inspired by Rajasthan.  Overall the collection was beautiful but require something off the usual  from Anita in the next fashion week.

Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 – Day 3

I am happy the way this LFW is proceeding after Day 2…….budding designers impressing the audience while the established ones getting better with time. Inspirations are galore, which have resulted in newer designs. We have given our verdict on earlier collection……..IFP’s pick for Day 3 are:

Photo courtesy : http://www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

Gaurang Shah

Kanjeevaram combined with prints………..now that is a rare combination which I have seen. ‘Ardhagini’ a collection by designer Gaurang Shah had alot of traditional Indian styles like Kanjeevaram, Kalamkari and zardosi incorporated. The look given was of 1950s & 1960s………actually reminded me of the Eastman colour Bollywood movies. The colour palette had bright hues like saffron, vermillion, red, hot pinks, green & blues. Sarees were combined with printed blouses & stoles while kurats were paired with  printed patiala salwars. Actress Kirron Kher walked the runway in a beautiful ivory-golden saree and depicted sheer elegance. Perfect styling, beautiful show-stopper and homage to Indian textile heritage……..Gaurang Shah has managed to win the runway on Day 3  🙂 IFP likes the collection for portraying the traditional weave in a contemporary manner on the ramp.

Deepika Govind

I also happen to like few creations from Deepika Govind’s collection ‘Pop Patola’. The clothes had loads of vibrant color and fun prints. Traditional weaves like ikat was used to create short dresses and jackets. Sarees had prints on the border and blouse…..IFP would like to see more of Deepika’s work in future.

Krishna Mehta

Krishna Mehta’s collection ‘Encore’ had loads of detail work in form of cutwork, embellishments, lace, embroidery and zardosi.  Fabrics like chanderi, lace, georgette, velvet , tulli created magic on stage. Kurtas were combined with pants and voluminous lehengas while the look was styled with zari belts. This was an extension of Krishna’s Resort/Summer collection but had slight twists & turns. Though few pieces had too work of detailling….how I wish the cutwork at the hemlines would be restricted. Few pieces were indeed beautiful and my love for florals did make take notice of Krishna’s collection.

Anita Dongre

Anita Dongre presented her recent collection ‘Urban Goddess’ which had weaves from Benaras, Ikat from Andhra Pradesh, blok prints from Bhuj, The show started off with western wear that had a range of dresses, pants, jackets, skirts and top. This time around I am not a big fan of the western section since this is something that I have seen in Anita’s earlier work. But Why she is IFP’s pick is because her Indo-westerns always are a cut above………..something that any person like myself would want to go to the store and buy. The voluminous skirts paired with the sexy tops did appeal to me. Also the jackets and the cute party bags looked caught my eye…………loved the jewels. Preeti Desai was a vision in white from Anita Dongre ‘Timeless’ Bridal collection. Menswear was kept simple with Jodhpuri jackets in colors like grey ad blue.  Overall I am neither too happy nor too disappointed as I expected more out of Anita’s work.  Wish she would incorporate a bit of fun and glamour in her next work.

‘Urban Princess’ by Anita Dongre

Anita Dongre Presents ‘Urban Princess’

LFW Festive Winter 2012 collection

 A blend of traditional Indian textiles styled in a contemporary way, for the urban, well-travelled and sophisticated Indian woman.

This season, Anita Dongre promises to transport you to a world of sophistication, tradition and femininity with her Festive Winter 2012 collection, ‘Urban Princess’. Celebrating the work of skilled Indian craftsmen with a touch of modernity, the regal collection will be showcased as a finale on the Indian Textile Day at Lakme Fashion Week.

Reflecting her passion for Indian handloom, Anita Dongre’s collection brings together hand woven textiles from Benares, ikat from Andhra Pradesh and vegetable block prints from Bhuj on mashru silk and raw silk. Bringing a contemporary stamp to the look, the luscious fabrics are combined with clean silhouettes such as cigarette pants, jackets, dresses and blouses, making them wearable wherever one travels.

The collection’s colour palette exudes royalty as it includes shades like emerald greens, reds and royal blues combined with the classic browns and blacks. As a complement to the collection, Anita Dongre uses a variety of astounding accessories, perfect for the Indian women looking for a balance between their love for western wear and their ethnic sensibilities.

As Anita Dongre explains, “This season, my main source of inspiration was the idea of a modern-day princess. She is beautiful, confident, elegant and most of all, feminine, the epitome of a true Anita Dongre woman. This collection is for the global woman with an Indian heart thus, emphasis is given to fashion, wear-ability and use of traditional Indian fabrics.”

IFP is delighted to showcase the preview of Anita Dongre’s upcoming collection in this tiny space of ours. I own few outfits from her wide collection and do recommend it to my friends for the fact that clothes designed by her are worth every penny. Definitely excited to see her new designs on the runway which will be showcased on Sunday, 5^th August 2012 at 9:00 pm.

Courtesy : Peepul Consulting

Anita Dongre presents Bridal Spring 2012 Collection

IFP gets you an exclusive look at Anita Dongre’s recent Bridal Collection which is a delight for the summer bride. The colors range from pastels to bright reds and pinks with beautiful detailing in golden. Available at Anita Dongre ‘Timeless’ stores in major cities across India.

Photo Courtesy : Anita Dongre’ FB page

 

Lakme Fashion Week Resort 2012 – Day 3

It is hard but I am yet to find outstanding work from budding designers. As for the established ones, I am not at all disappointed with their Resort collection……….there is color, better fit and newer style that I have got to see plus cocktail dress designs have been my favourite so far. So let’s catch up who lured us with their creation on Day 3 of LFW.

Photo courtesy : www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

Anita Dongre

‘Waves of Joy’ which is Anita Dongre’s recent collection was inspired from Indian textiles. The show was in collaboration with Godrej  Interio Design HQ for which Anita has designed a line of furniture. The color pallette ranged from lighter pastels to brighter colors. The outfits had a very retro look in terms of designs with dresses, gowns, sarees, pants, shirts. Anita also launched menswear collection which had a range of blazers, trousers and jackets. IFP likes the look of traditional weaves used to create contemporary look and gives a thumbs up for the flirty short dresses.

Krishna Mehta

Krishna Mehta’s recent work was a fusion of bright oranges, hot pinks and bold reds with beige, cream and black………now that actually caught my eye. The floral motifs which had mostly rose detailwork looked beautiful on the runway…… the touch of lace here & there added a touch of class. The collection had sarees, kurtis with churidhar sleeves, tunics, bolero jackets, wide leg pants, anarkali, skirts & lehenga. There was a lot of sequin detail seen on the blouse but the bling on the sarees were thankfully kept muted. IFP recommends Krishna Mehta’s collection for the upcoming summer season………..wear it for a daytime party, a summer wedding or a cocktailevent, you can never go wrong with this collection.

Exclusive!!!! Anita Dongre Resort 2012 Preview

 

Anita Dongre Presents “Waves of Joy”

Summer/Resort 2012 collection

Bringing you “Waves of Joy”, Anita Dongre’s Summer/Resort Collection promises a delicious and vibrant summer to stylish gentlemen and gorgeous ladies. Starring vivacious colors styled in contemporary silhouettes, Anita Dongre pays tribute to Indian weaves with a chic stroll on the catwalk. Combining organic fair trade cotton with “boho-luxe” style, the collection titled “Waves of Joy” will be showcased at Lakme Fashion Week on Sunday, 4th March 2012 at 9:30 pm.

In keeping with the theme of the day at Lakme Fashion Week, Anita Dongre uses silk and cotton brocade weaves from Benaras, tie and dye from Rajasthan, gorgeous hand painted silks also from Jaipur, Ikats of Andhra Pradesh, and chikan kari from Lucknow, which are age-old techniques close to her heart. High on comfort and style code, “Waves of Joy” is a sensual line of graciously flowing gowns; maxi dresses; easy jackets; flowing palazzos; skirts and feminine lace blouses.

The mood of the collection is early-evening resort wear with feminine detailing and vivid hues. With a laid-back yet sophisticated look, the line flows from easy pastels to classic black and whites, to rich gold brocades. With a vibrant colour palette for summer, Anita Dongre has worked with sugary pastels featuring candy pink, bright lime, sea green, aqua blue and peach, to the sweet shades of soft greys and yellows.

The use of traditional crafts like chikan kari and gota patti embroidery on a contemporary collection ensure that our heritage crafts stay alive.

For the first time Anita Dongre shows her men’s wear line on the ramp. A selection of cool linen shirts in the delicious summer colours of pink, turquoise and lime, minimalist linen blazers in neutral colours, and trousers in burnt orange and yellow to name a few. Anita Dongre has put together this collection for the tasteful man who appreciates refined fabrics, clean cuts and impeccable fits.

Anita says, “This season, I have created contemporary styled pieces using traditional Indian textiles. There is a mix of closet staples combined with fashion statement pieces. Bringing out the feminine – edge has been the prime focus along with, of course, keeping the style quotient high. For this collection I picture a woman on a dreamy holiday with her man, whose taste is refined and subtle, going for romantic cocktails, looking very sexy and feminine in her selection from Anita Dongre Resort 2012.”

Courtesy : Peepul Consulting for Anita Dongre

Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive – Day 2

Here is your glimpse at Day 2 of Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011. IFP will only be showcasing the designs which caught our attention and were worth discussing.

Anita Dongre

Anita Dongre presented yet another colourful bridal collection in which she had captured the prints and fabrics from the vibrant states of our country. Anita seems to draw a lot of inspiration from the beautiful Rajasthan…………….the rich work reflects in her ‘Timeless’ collection…………Bandhej, gotta & patti work, ikat, brocades…………..it had all the elements to wow the audience. The equally liked the one shoulder dresses and blouses paired with lehenga skirts. But the only thing that distracted me from this beautiful collection were the bags strapped around the waist like ‘kamarbandh’………….seen this in JJ Valaya’s earlier works………..honestly not a big fan and never would understand why would a women wear such a hideous accessory over a heavy embellished saree. Nonetheless the outfits were signature ‘Anita Dongre’ style……………..wearable, affordable, elegant and very contemporary. My Verdict : All for the flowy skirts but definitely not a fan of the outfits wherein velvet was incorporated. Felt it was too over-whelming when combined with prints.

Narendra Kumar

‘Fly me to the Moon’ Frank Sinatra sang this wonderful song………….and Narendra Kumar took inspiration from it to create this classic collection. Of course Narendra Kumar focused on menswear this time around with jackets, blazers, tuxedo and suits for the handsome one. It was a pleasant surprise to see the ever so graceful Kabir Bedi walk the runway as the show stopper for Narendra Kumar………such poise, such grace………..only few men age well & Kabir is definitely a handsome face rarely found at this age. The rich fabric, the royal colours, the subtle detail work were commendable……though not a fan of cropped pants in bright shades of red, pink & peach. Call me old-fashioned but full length fitted pants are ‘Couture’……………..I think the show stopper proved my point. The colour palette was inspired by F.Scott Fitzgerald’s literary work – The Great Gatsby. The lush emerald-green, deep sapphire and midnight blues, wine, light pink, neutrals and ubiquitous “black tie”. Authentic luxury and decadence of the golden era is displayed through the predominant use of variety of silks and other fine fibres; Dupion silk, opulent silk velvet, textures and patterned silk, smooth and lustrous Ari silk. Textured hand-loom silk and brocade adds richness to the collection, whilst combining with traditional Indian handicraft with a contemporary clean-line silhouette. My Verdict : Fabulous jackets & tuxedos………they were absolutely unique………..loved the fit and the rich vintage look.

Nachiket Barve

‘The Golden Hour’ by Nachiket Barve had a pretty impressive line of outfits in vibrant hues…………sponsored by DHL, Nachiket successfully incorporated the colours of DHL in his designs. Yet the ensemble looked stylish and very fashion forward. The blending of colours, the layering effect, minimal detail work actually caught my eye for its freshness. Absolutely loved the way hot pinks turned into sunshine yellows………the saree draped in a contemporary form underneath a corset was definitely one of its kind.  The flowy Georgette looked equally stunning on the runway. My Verdict : Perfect synchronization of colours, cut & fit. So far I like this collection for its vibrant colours. I guess one might get to see a lot of Nachiket’s designs on the red carpet in future.

Photo courtesy : www.lakmefashionweek.co.in & Tandem Communications

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week A/W 2011- Day 5

Every good thing must come to an end………….& philosphical talks really don’t suit me. The last day of fashion week had many designers to look forward to but few favourites of mine are being featured. Take a look at what you have in store for the Fall season.

Anita Dongre

 

I got to see pastels in her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, but the Fall/Winter 2011 collection was a different story altogether. Loads of dark hues with hint of shimmer and shine to them for that glamed up look……outfits were every bit fabulous. Though I did not expect the indo-western fusion, I am pleasantly surprised the way it has turned out. Anita presented the lehenga styled skirts in a variety of colours with detail work combined with jackets & tops. I loved the brocade jackets combined with short dresses………..that pop of colour against the winter background………..makes my imagination run wild. Te fabrics used for these creations were more of velvet, silk & brocade. My verdict : Very wearable and fashionable………..flared skirts are back in a big way for the upoming winter season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Though many people were not in awe of Sabyasachi’s recent Spring/Summer 2011 collection, I still like it for the fresh designs and the mix & ma of fabrics. I also like the fac that Sabyasachi takes alot of risk in creating new collection…………..many designers unfortunately don’t which is why we cannot find any new designs on the runway most of the times. This time around his collection reflected a bit like his spring collection but the shades were darker and the colour black was incorporated in maximum of his designs. The fabric, the detail work were undoubtly beautiful, but waht lacked was the ‘fit’ of the silhouette. The collection had casual shirts, tops, skirts, pants, kurti, half saree, jackets………..but the bohemian look might not work for many. My verdict :  The collection would have been a head turner if the outfits had a better fit.

Photo courtesy: www.fashionwiredaily.com

Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2011 – Day 3

After an exciting Day 2, I looked forward to Day 3 where the accessories shows were gone be held at LFW. I am enamored by the display of the jewellery, bags, shoes and so many accessories made by Indian Designers. Of course clothes are also what I look forward to nonetheless. Let’s take a look at what we had in store for us on the third day of this fashion week.

Photo Courtesy : www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

 

 

MALAGA BY MALINI AGARWALLA

I seriously want those shoes and the neck pieces…………Malini has done it again with her beautiful collection, I am in love instantly with these alluring pieces. Love the styling which kept the focus totally on the accessories and not else. The hair was sleek with the pulled back look………the stone work on the shoes are very pretty. On my next visit to India, I am headed to her store. My Verdict : I want to try all of these………..Contemporary yet fabulous.

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Eina Ahluwalia

‘Wedding Vows’ stunned the audience with the sharp eye-catching pieces made from shaped like a Trishul, bows & arrows, knives set with semi- precious stones. The styling of the collection was very classic in sarees made from silk in black, vermilion & white………….very ethnic. I like that her creation presented the Indian women as strong yet very feminine, The golds stood out magnificently with the gliitery gemstones…………If you wanna make a statement, Eina Ahluwalia should be your choice. Though I am not digging the skulls since it kinda took away from the ethnic designs which were displayed……..but hey that’s just me. My verdict :  Very Contemporary yet elegant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUHANI PITTIE

‘Drama’ and loads of it is what I got to see in Suhani’s latest creations titled ‘Urban Folk’. The bold pendants & neckpieces were indeed very fashion forward, but again a question lingers on in my mind……….are all of them wearable???? Few pieces I found wearable for a photo shoot only, whereas I do admit, many neck pieces were very wearable this time around. The cuffs were ‘to die for’  in amazing colours & designs. I am amazed with the circular copper necklace which was inspired by the ‘Adivasi’  – a Hindi word meaning ‘tribe’. Modernizing the piece to suit the urban belle was commendable. My verdict :  If you want to jazz up your look, just add one of Suhani’s creation & you will be ready to rock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANITA DONGRE

‘Love & Life’ the title of Anita Dongre’s ‘Timeless’ recent collection did take my breath away because of the simplicity yet beautiful creations. I am once more in awe of this lady who has been able to expand her label ‘Anita Dongre’ like no other designer. She understands very well what a women wants every new season, hence has been successful in creating the alluring silhouettes every single time. Though I must admit the gotta work was also seen on her outfits last season, this time I am more attracted towards the sarees & the lehengas than the Anarkalis. Anita has used Mul in pale colours like yellow, pink, beige & blues…………the fit & the flow of fabrics is no doubt flawless. Though by now you must be knowing that I am no more fond of floor length Anarkalis in summer, good to see Anita go for shorter version of the same. For summertime festivities, this collection is a must have since the fabrics used are light to carry in the heat plus the detail work is very subtle. My verdict : Never disappointed with Anita’s creations, her outfits are a class in itself. She is one designer to make designer wear actually reachable for normal people like you & me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHANTANU & NIKHIL

‘Divonics’ was presented by designer duo Shantanu && Nikhil, who no doubt are favourite among our desi celebrities for red carpet ensemble. This time around they had their focus on outfits for occasion like a cocktail or party. They have to some extent given the little black dress an edge of it’s own with detailing which of course I found unique & seen for the first time on the runway of this fashion week. I am equally surprised that they created wonderful designs with fabrics like silks, brocade, tussar which is never preferred when one is creating a line of western wear.  My verdict : Very Chic with the drapes & the fit blending in beautifully. I guess the designer duo have a ‘Hit’ in their hands for the celebrities are gonna get hold of their creations for the red carpet in future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BABITA M

Rural designs fused with urban culture was the essence of Babita Malkani’s recent collection which had Indian block prints and drapes. The collection titled as ‘Iktar’ had very earthy tones with beige, browns, reds & maroons used to design flowy dresses, skirts, tops, dhoti & lycra churidhars . But somehow this collection did not excite me that much since somewhere I felt the ‘fit’ was not perfect. I feel individual piece might work well but the whole look was not what a women living in urban city like Mumbai might usually opt for. My verdict : Needs to spice up the outfit with better ‘fit’.

 

 

 

DEBARUN

I am truly happy to see that designer Debarun Mukherjee go this groove back with his latest offering. What struck me the most was the way the gold & floral bronze appliqué stood out in the outfits which were designed on sheer off -white backgrounds. As predicted earlier, this summer season called for short kurtis…………….Debarun delivered the look. Young actor Aditya Roy Kapoor walked in as show stopper in white & beige creation. My verdict : The appliqué detail work was unique for this season. Menswear was a good fusion of East & west………………Like it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDDARTHA TYTLER

Fashionable collection that reminded so much of  ‘Sex & the City’…………..the collection titled ‘Metalosophy’ metal detailing took center stage. The ‘Fit’ & the ‘Cut’ was the feature that stood out but in a beautiful way. There were floral prints which were suitable for the day, while the sequin dresses will rock in the night. I don’t get that swayed away by western wear so soon especially with our designers, but Siddhartha did manage to make a positive impression. The dresses were extremely stylish, the flared bottom pants looked excellent, the evening wear made me wanna party right away……….Need I say anymore.  My verdict : Definitely my favourite for the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews Coming Soon

RAJAT K TANGRI/RIMI NAYAK INDIA

APARNA & NORDAN WANGDI

 

Anita Dongre – Queen of Highstreet Fashion

What would you call a designer who has 6 labels under her belt and infinite stores in major cities??? An amazing designer who knows what the masses love. Anita is one of the few designers catering to all income strata in this fashionable society. Her clothes are very wearable yet contemporary and the best part fits in my budget, no wonder why I shopped for them on my trip back home.

Anita earned her fashion designing from S.N.D.T, Mumbai. She came into limelight when she launched her western wear ‘AND’ in 1999. Since then there has been no looking back for this talent powerhouse with the launches of her brand label ANITA DONGRE – IINTER PRET, TIMELESS, GLOBAL DESI and GRASSROOT. Plus she has also ventured in wellness with ‘CLAY’ which has opened in Bandra. This was my short description of what this amazing lady has achieved.

But that is not why I want to write about her. I have tried to find many designer outfits that would fit in my budget but somehow have been able to admire these designer creations from a distance, let alone buy them. Anita’s creation was one of the first which I bought and five years down the line the outfit is still a precious piece in my wardrobe. The quality, the clean lines, the details work plus durability of a ‘Anita Dongre’ fashion is definitely for keeps.

Recently I had been to luxury mall ‘Palladium’ at Phoenix mills, I was mesmerized by Anita’s ‘Timeless’ collection which were very trendy with ethnic patterns yet not heavy on the pocket. Instead of buying a detail work suit piece and getting them stitched, I would rather buy it off the racks. The store’s decor was as classic as the clothes itself……………..though there were other high-end designer stores as well in the same mall, I could not bring myself to enter those stores since a middle class person like me often gets scared looking at the price tag of these designerwear.  Not to mention the glances by the store staff who are trying to guess whether I am a buyer or just a petty window shopper???? Sigh………..

My point here is that Anita has catered to the segment where we aspire to wear designerwear but can afford to shop at Shopper’s Stop. Today many of my girlfriends can walk with confidence wearing her creation and feel like a celebrity. Funnily, we can now relate and look forward to the recent collections launched at the fashion weeks, which I feel was non-existent for most of us till date. She has started a trend where designerwear was not just limited to superstars or celebrities only, but for a normal gal like u and me. Kudos to Anita for bringing about a revolution and bridging the gap.

Anita apart from dressing any woman, has been a designer for Esha Kopikar, Gul Panag, Urmila Matondkar, Raveena Tandon, Mallika Sherawat, Tabu and Tisca Chopra. Her recent collection was inspired b y our colourful Rajasthan, has done pretty well. Her collection has a wide range to choose from – TIMELESS is inspired from Indian heritage with traditional wear like lehengas, churidhars, kurtis. IINTER Pret is a fusion of Indian patterns with western designs & fit. GRASSROOT is an eco-friendly collection made from organic material. ‘AND’ is the party and formal western wear line while GLOBAL DESI is western cut on Indian fabric both of which have an affordable price range.

If you wish to see her collection, you can visit her flagship store in Linking Road, Bandra which houses all the 5 labels under one roof which is spread out over 4,000 sq feet or visit one of her stores in major cities across India. Check out her official website for more details www.anitadongre.com

Photo Courtesy : www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

Her collection on the runway

 

Lakme India Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2010 – Day 1

I have to say this that it is easier to cover and write about Lakme India Fashion Week events than any other fashion week held here…………..the reason – proper updates about the designer and their recent collection is given on their official website within hours & not days of the events. Wish other fashion weeks would update their websites properly and quick for better coverage.

It is the same time of the year to get busy and immerse myself completely in fashion. I love fashion weeks that I think everybody would be knowing by now and wish to attend the same live someday…………I wish with all my heart. Is someone listening?????

So time to post a review about the designer’s recent collection. The day 1 started off with GenNext designers and ended with Manish Arora’s collection. Let’s have a look at who made an impression on the minds of fashionistas and who left a dent!!

Gennext Designer – Fasal Mahmood & Akanksha Arora

Fasal & Akanksha started their label ‘Wardrobe 101’ after graduating from NIFT, presented a collection for menswear which was kinda of futuristic age meets iron age. I liked the styling of the clothes which was pretty macho with a likes of metal accessories and the colour palette was dominated by browns, blues, blacks and greys. The collection consisted of  jackets, pants, funky shirts, T-shirts……………but as usual missed a pop of colour. Though I dig their jackets but a bit of maroons or purple would have added the much-needed spice to the collection. There was plenty of use of zippers, liked the pants which had different patterns. My verdict is that the duo might have to push away from too darker shades since they are looking very gloomy to me and incorporate more of colour………………I do agree it is for winters but why can there not be colour in winters. Some winter formals with smart fits would have also helped………….but maybe that’s just me.

Gennext Designer – Jelin George

Jelin’s collection actually reminded me of the ‘Moulin Rouge’ especially those tilted gentleman’s hat………….while she said her inspiration was Grace Jones, those exaggerated shoulders explain well why she was inspired by Grace. The silhouette was well cut, shoulders pieces took the centre stage, colour black was dominant, sequins shimmered on the dark palette……………..now my question is ‘Why there is no colour???’ Grace Jones and the era of 1980s was definitely all about colour. The only black collection left me desiring for more drama in the outfits though the styling was amazing and different from what I have seen on the Indian fashion runway. My verdict : More colour desired and some outfits were not very wearable………….for a Costume Ball……………maybe???

Gennext Designer – Juilee Bendkhale

Juilee Bendkhale’s collection focus was drapes…………………..and loads of it. She created skirts, pinafore, draped pants which I can say were inspired by patiala salwars by the looks of it, short jackets, dresses which had pointed shoulders. The drapes in some outfits looked very feminie and graceful but the rest looked bulky. I liked the way Juilee has tried to put in some life in the black colour silhouette by adding sequins and accessories. My verdict : The designs are wearable, loved the ash grey dress displayed below but avoid too much of layering since people these days want slim fit outfits than too much of layering…………….unless it is a gown.

Gennext Designer – Pragya & Megha Samor

Mother-Daughter duo Pragya & Megha Samor named their collection ‘The Daily Rag’ which was very, very 1980s inspired…………..hmmm we are having a lot of 1980’s come back are we???? The newspaper prints were the main element in this collection as it was seen in the skirts, the lycra leggings, the jackets and the jump suits……….very innovative and very punk rock style. The collection had wearable pieces which is my primary concern whenever I glance through the collection……………..thankfully there was loads of colour. My verdict : The pieces will look fabulous when worn separately with understated silhouettes……………..will look forward for this duo’s next collection.

Gennext Designer – Riddhi & Siddhi Mapxencar

I think I just saw a building structure on the runway……………………….that is something that inspired the designer duo Riddhi & Siddhi since they said their inspiration was American architect Daniel Libeskind. Geometric designs combined with exaggerated shoulders was the main element of this collection. Loved the combination of warm colours with cool gloomy shades………………very fashionable. Jackets, shorts dresses, jodhpuri pants, tops were included in this collection. My verdict :  The collection was different, wearable, original and smart……………I liked it very much.

Gennext Designer – Ruchika Sachdeva

Ruchika Sachdeva’s futuristic collection was not for the faint hearted……………the elements were black, white, grey and silver with designs like jumpsuits, skirts, top, pants, jackets, short dresses………………..but why does futuristic have to be so colourless??? This is my question to all designers out there………….new & old ones. But I am definitely digging Ruchika’s white jump suit featured above………………..very funky!!! I also liked the way tie & dye fabric was blended with the outfits. My verdict : I like her designs especially the jumpsuits and sequined jackets but need to see more of her creativeness.

Abhishek Dutta

Abhishek Dutta was the first established designer to showcase his work on the runway at the Lakme India Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2010………………but somehow some of his outfits had me confused…………am I seeing the winter collection or summer with the whites, blues, greys???? The collection titled ‘Neel Bidroho’ better known as  protest against indigo………………….I liked the menswear in this collection. Amazingly classy and fashionable……….as for womenswear the designs were elegant. Loveeeeddd the detail work in silver……………..but some outfits needed better fit. A fusion of Indian wear with contemporary west yet the collection had a very vintage air to it. My verdict :I liked the collection but am yet to love it. The plus point is that it is wearable.

Soumitra Mondal

Soumitra Mondal’s collection inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Khadi’ fabric takes handloom textile to a different level altogether……….the colourful prints, the nature inspired motifs, the flowy drapes and the magic of layering. The clothes were very ethnic and very, very wearable. I could wear each one of the outfits in his collection for women. The khadi lehengas, kurtis, short dresses, churidhar kurta, dupatta, shawls, kurtas for men, pants…………….the fascinating thing here was that Soumitra gave a defined cut to all the outfits………………..the khadi fabric had a good fit be it a blouse or a simple shirt. My say about the collection : I would wear these outfits from a buyer’s point of view.

Asmita Marwah

Asmita Marwah’s collection ‘Evolution of Maya’ was again a bohemian presentation…………but this time her collection was slightly better than her last resort collection. There were check patterns but florals were also included…………..now this collection seemed less like winter wear more of  summer wear. The cut & fit of the outfits was still lacking…………..there was no definition given. Fabric like cotton were the focus………………My verdict : Still need to do better. You can check out her earlier collection here.

Digvijay Singh

Digvijay Singh’scollection named ‘Tidak ada lagi’ which as per my knowledge in Bhasa Indonesia means ‘there are not more’ ………………funnily this expression is used in Indonesian/ Malaysian stores when they don’t have anymore stuff???? I wonder if the same happened with Digvijay’s creativity……………………….there were no inspiring pieces left. The organic fabrics used was a good thought behind the collection but if the fabric lacks the looks how will it end up selling??? The styling was bad with those flat black shoes, dishevelled hair………………My verdict : I am not impressed. If you would like to see his earlier collection please check here.

Krishna Mehta

Thankfully Krishna Mehta’s show was a very refined affair this time around unlike the previous show during LFW Resort 2010. The glittery collection had every bit of regal feel to it with he heavy embellished sequin work and chikan kari. The rich vibrant colours combined with the muted shades gave an amazing effect to the outfits. The collection which was primarily Indian wear also had western wear like short dresses but every silhouette had that ethnic Indian look. My favourite were the sarees with embroidered jackets, now that is an original piece. The motifs on the lehengas and sarees were very, very contemporary. Lovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeddd the colours with golden thread embroidery. My verdict : Amazing collection, vibrant colours suitable for the festive look.

Anita Dongre

Anita Dongre better known for her retail label ‘AND’ proves time and again that she is one of the most amazing designer that we have seen. In short she always delivers what her customers want from her. In her festive collection also vibrant colours took centre stage and fabulous block prints left fashionista wanting for more…………….Anita made it look effortlessly glamorous. The collection divided in 2 segments ‘IINTERPRET’ & ‘TIMELESS’  both were inspired by the culturally rich state of Rajasthan. The combination of cool colours like blue, greys and greens with fiery hues like red, golden and orange set the ramp on fire. The detailing work was ‘Oh la la’ , the slim fit cut of the outfit was alluring…………………I can say one thing : Yoohooooooo………..we have the collection of the day!!!! I was mesmerized by Anita’s Summer/Resort 2010 collection and am equally mesmerized now.

Manish Arora

Manish Arora closed the first day of the LFW Winter/Festive 2010 with a lot of Drama……………not just in the show but also in the clothes. The psychedelic prints in vibrant colours with a futuristic age meets the hippie era background made all the stuff look amazingly funky. I literally thought of Austin Powers, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso all combined in one when I saw the designs…………………….the outcome was Manish Arora. Though the styling with neon make up & blond wigs was a bit scary but it helped to put the entire focus on the outfits…………..but unfortunately I have seen these designs earlier on the international arena when Manish had presented his show abroad and on celebrities as well. To some extend I found his work a bit repetitive……………………..My verdict : The collection was fun and very lively but the element of ‘new’ was a miss in this collection.Manish, Would expect something totally innovative next time around.

Photo courtesy :  www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2010 Day 5

The final day of Lakme Fashion week kicked off with accessory show in which I think our Indian Designers have done a good work and we could very well have emerging designer labels for bags, shoes and jewellery from our country displaying creations internationally. In order to view the entire collection of all designers please visit the official website www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

Malini Agarwalla

Loved the bags which were ‘oh so in the trend’ these days…………I would love to have one of Malini’s designed bags they were so summery. The collection titled ‘Flamore’  had bags, clutches, totes, belts,necklace and shoes were beautifully designed for the woman of today. The colours consisted on whites, cremes, golden, silver, aquamarine, yellow, orange all blended superbly with James Ferreira outfits. Simone Singh who carried an eye-catching golden bronze clutch bag teamed with gold and silver stilettos was the show-stopper for Malini’s collection. The shoes were very ‘chic’ which had designs like wedge heels, flats plus a lot of frills. The accessories were fit for summer wear and the flower motifs on the bags were refreshingly different from the single colour dull bags we get to see on celebrities. My verdict on Malini’s ‘Flamore’ is very wearable, beautiful and has the makings of making big in international scene in the future.

Eina Ahluwalia

Eina Ahluwalia’s collection ‘The Breathing Space’ had a lot of new accessory on display as the models walked down the ramp. Semi-precious stones, shells, silver was creatively combined with organza made a very colourful exhibit. But my only worry for this collection is whether it will be wearable for all or only by women who are ready to experiment. Over the ages I have seen Indian women were large piece of metal jewellery with an ease but would they be very open with shells and stones. My say on this that this line will go down very well with the women in their 20s and 30s  but the rest might still stick to the traditional items.

Sonali Dalwani

One got to see a lot of butterfly motifs on the bags created by Sonali Dalwani…………………my pick would be the big travel bags which had golden butterfly patterns on them. The vibrant colours in bags, belts, jewellery and shoes are very well designed which women of all ages would love to flaunt. Take a pick from this collection coz Sonali Dalwani’s range will definitely feature in the ‘must have’ list soon.

Suhani Pittie

Suhani Pittie’s ‘The Grunge Begum’  had chokers, chain necklace, metallic cuffs, wood carved jewellery and kolhapuris………..the look was a fusion of Mugal Era with today’s metallic age. Creations in gold,copper,silver and crystal were worn by the models as they strode down the ramp. But somehow I felt I have already seen many creations like these in the fashion circuit……………….there were not many new pieces. I was not able to find anything ‘Unique’ in this collection and found some of them unwearable. Ditto with the shoes……….Kolhapuris have been available in the Indian market for ages……………there was no reason why I should not buy them from Linking Road than buy a designer wear.

 

Debarun

Even I looked at Debarun’s Collection ‘Miracle Mix’, I felt this was something ‘Different’ which I get to see on the last day of LFW 2010. The colour palette was inspired by Indian spices where one got to see chilli reds, yellow turmeric, browns like the sweet Indian chutney, coriander greens combined with silks for that regal look. Modern yet had that Indian ethnicity to it……….very wearable and reason why I termed it ‘different’ was because Indian masses are yet to wear western wear in these fiery hues. The range had a lot of variety like skirts, dresses, shorts, pants, sarees, jackets,  gowns to offer to all age groups. My take on this creation is that Debarun has done a good job and if I were a buyer I would definitely like to try out his creations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nidhi & Divya

Nidhi & Divya’s  designer label named  ‘Walnut’  was inspired by love. There were beautiful cocktail dresses for the women of today in gorgeous colours like plum, yellow, orange, purple, blue, white and of course black. I liked the layering of their outfits which were very subtle yet the entire outfit fit the models like glove. Loads of organza fabric is used to give the desired effect though I wish they would have been a bit more creative with white colour by putting a pop of colour of using crystal to get that glamorous effect. Actress Vidya Malwade looked ready to party in one of their creations as she walked down the ramp. Liked the styling on the ramp with awesome shoes…………..I just missed a bit of bling in this collection even though some hand painted gave a beautiful effect to the outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lina Tipnis

Lina Tipnis’s collection titled ‘Istanbul not Constantinople’ is inspired by the beautiful architecture and culture of Turkey. One got to see innovative ways of displaying jewellery pattern on the clothes in her creations. Loved the blue and white print which is usually seen on tiles of Turkish monuments. The colour theme was mainly whites, ivory and beige with a hint of teal. The collection consisted of skirts, short dresses, evening cocktail dresses, pants and shirts    My take on her creation is that the bejewelled outfits are very ‘Unique’ , I can predict they will be very much in ‘Vogue’ this season.

 

 

 

 

Anita Dongre

I don’t think anybody could make white look ‘Oh-so-fabulous’ except Anita Dongre……………..combining white with silver looked so gracious on the ramp. The best part about it was that each outfit was very, very, very wearable. The inspiration was the pink city Jaipur, hence the title of the collection ‘Jaipur Again’. One got to see loads of Gotta work, silver embroidery, chikankari, sequins in the silhouette. there were also colours like pink and sky blue in the collection which had Sarees, jump suits, skirts, evening gowns, summer dresses, kurtis…………………..Breath taking outfits which was designed keeping Indian Woman and Indian summer in mind. Nonetheless this collection will do very well in the overseas market. My say on Ms Dongre’s ‘Jaipur Again’ is ‘Wow’, love it………………..this collection will have may buyers……….even a person like me who is not fond of white colour will want to try out these clothes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suneet Verma

The Finale show of LFW 2010 was presented by Suneet Verma. Loads of shimmer, sequins, wild cat prints, ruffles reminded me of the 70s Disco era……….the collection started out with boho-chic outfits and proceeded into night party outfit.

The collection was divided in 5 segments

• “Color my World” – Amazing mix of colour in form of patchwork and mix’n’ match which had designs like coats, tunics, dresses, ponchos etc. Though people liked this segment but somehow I don’t think the clothes were very wearable, it seems to cater to a niche clients only. The clothes gave me ‘Banjara’ feel……..
• “Call of the Wild” – Loads of animal prints and motifs in chocolate, black, beige and hues of turquoise. But again haven’t we already seen animal prints on the runway.
• “Pucchi Prints” was more graphic in nature with geometric patterns in designs like jackets, skinny pants, gowns……. liked this segment which was something ‘new’.
• “Preppy Argyle” had hues of purple, lilac, beige and black in clothes like tunics, dresses, wide leg pants and gowns. I liked the western trend but was not very impressed by the Sarees worn with tights and minis. I think experimenting with a saree is fine but turning it into a western wear is something our Indian designers have yet to figure out.
• “The Bold and the Beautiful” – Looked like a glamorous Hollywood Red Carpet event but the 70s era is something which I feel has been a ‘ground breaking decade’ for global fashion.Suneet was very much able to take the essence of that Era and show it in his collection.The floral motifs made out of fabric were an original style plus those dazzling colours of the night combined with shimmer of Swaroski crystals made the entire collection look sensational.

The show ended as the three faces of Lakmé, Lisa Haydon in a slinky red black gown, Amrit Maghera in a black gown with a net cover and Indrani Dasgupta in a gold gown walked down the ramp with Suneet Varma to thunderous applause as Saturday Night Fever by the Bee Gees set the night rocking.