Tag: Lakme

Shah is here at the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI to showcase his latest range christened “GULAL”, which he described as a symphony of cultural elegance and modern sophistication…writes Durga Chakravarty

Award-winning textile designer Gaurang Shah is happy with the efforts of Indian personalities such as Vidya Balan, Tabu, and Kirron Kher to name a few, for their contributions to promoting Indian weaves.

He said their endorsement not only showcases the sartorial splendour but also fosters a sense of pride and recognition for skilled artisans.

Talking about Indian celebrities doing their bit to promote Indian styles and weaves, Shah told IANS: “Undoubtedly, Indian celebrities wield significant influence in shaping fashion trends, and many are fervent champions of indigenous styles and weaves such as Vidya Balan, Kirron Kher, Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Tabu and many more.”

“From donning exquisite Kanjeevarams to embracing the intricate craftsmanship of Phulkari, they effortlessly blend tradition with contemporary allure, amplifying the global appeal of Indian textiles. Their endorsement not only showcases the sartorial splendour of our heritage but also fosters a sense of pride and recognition for our skilled artisans,” he added.

The designer said that they “serve as cultural ambassadors, weaving a narrative of inclusivity and reverence for our rich textile legacy.”

Shah is here at the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI to showcase his latest range christened “GULAL”, which he described as a symphony of cultural elegance and modern sophistication.

The designer, who ventured into costume designing with Nag Ashwin’s 2018 Telugu film ‘Mahanati’ based on the life of actress Savitri, makes no bones about Indian fashion competing at international levels.

“Indian textiles possess an inherent allure, steeped in centuries of tradition and craftsmanship. From the intricate patterns of Banarasi to the delicate elegance of Chanderi, each weave whether it is a saree or ghagra for bridal or casual wear, tells a story of heritage and skill,” he said.

Indian fashion captivates with its vibrant colours, rich textures, and timeless designs, said the designer.

Shah added: “It’s not merely about competing; it’s about celebrating the unique history of our cultural identity, resonating with fashion enthusiasts worldwide. More so, the adaptable talent of our weavers, whom we continue to enrich with newer design ideas and skill sets, which we do with our weaves across India.”

The 2024 edition of LFW is special for Shah, who is making a comeback to the runway after a long break.

The designer said the pandemic was the reason.

“The hiatus from the runway! Well, it’s been quite the journey. You see, in the wake of the pandemic, our beloved looms faced a temporary lull in production, a momentary pause in the rhythmic dance of threads. But fear not, for our passion for weaves and Jamdani burns brighter than ever!” Shah said.

He added: “It took a bit of time to rekindle that vibrant energy, to align every warp and weft just right. And now, oh, our looms hum with renewed vigour, weaving tales of tradition and innovation alike.

Shah wanted to make a “grand re-entrance”, to unveil something fresh and captivating, something that would stir the soul of every fashion aficionado.

“And what better time than Phagun, with its burst of colours and zest for life? GULAL, our latest creation, is just the beginning — a kaleidoscope of hues that will paint the seasons ahead. So, brace yourselves, for our journey through the palette has only just begun!” he added.

Shah Revives Forgotten Textile Artistry

Award-winning textile designer Gaurang Shah honoured the heritage of the nation’s textiles by showcasing “long forgotten” embroideries such as Mochi, Parsi Gara, Petit Point, and Kasuti, among many others on the runway with his latest collection ‘Gulal’.

It was a housefull for Gaurang, who showcased over 40 ensembles comprising of 30 lehengas and 10 sarees, each a testament to the intricate craftsmanship of India’s weaves on day 2 of Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI.

The presentation began with a live music performance by Germany-based medical engineer and singer Hardik Chauhan, who is known to perform Gujarati folk numbers. He was joined by the models, who did garba.

This was followed by a playful tale of Radha and Krishna’s Holi antics by Kathakali dance, which is associated with spirituality.

The collection, which took over a year to create featured ghagras and sarees, which according to the designer highlighted the “long forgotten embroideries like Mochi, Parsi Gara, Petit Point and Kasuti, Phulkari, Kutch and Kashmiri.”

“The dynamic designs line up hinted at the glory of yesteryears, the luxuries that are now rare and opulent,” the designer said.

The 40 exquisite garments consisted of Jamdani, Jacquard, and Dobby, which are the dynamic weaving techniques used to create textiles in hand charkha Khadi, fine cotton, silk matka, and other natural silks.

Shah described the colour palette as “standing for purity, sincerity, and peace and is worn particularly in the Spring season of Phalgun.”

As per the designer: “The weaves are made with virtues of patience and precision that each artisan practices while hand weaving each textile. Their emotions and traits are woven into each line. Each piece of GULAL will be a combination of three different textiles of India.”

Regal Showcase at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI

It was a complete royal affair as veteran designer Rajesh Pratap Singh showcased his latest collection on the first day of the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI here on Wednesday.

However, it soon turned into a pet party as two four-legged furry friends joined the models to bring the curtains down on the show.

Before Singh showcased his capsule collection, which was in collaboration with polo-wear brand La Martina, fashion lovers were treated to a glimpse of the ‘sport of the kings’ – a polo match at the Mahalakshmi Race Course.

A carefully picked playlist featuring songs such as ‘Who’s gonna ride your wild horses’, ‘Riders of the storm’, and ‘Horse Soldier’, gelled perfectly with the theme of the show, as the horses and the polo game took the centre stage to be the inspiration behind the collection.

The silhouettes featured in Pratap’s collection included Jodhpuri pants, blazers, polo T-shirts, and shirts, all in the rich hues of royal blue, gold, ivory, and burnt orange, among others.

However, during the end, the show earned several “awes” after a stray dog ran and joined the group of models, who strutted towards the paparazzis to strike a final pose for the collection.

Another stray dog stood right in front of the cameras, while the models posed along with a polo player for the final picture.

All in all, the show was a complete hit — as the collection earned the claps, while the strays stole the limelight.

ALSO READ-Fresh Faces Shine at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI GenNext Show

Sonam’s brand lays focus on pieces that are durable and representative of a melting pot for ancient and contemporary craftsmanship…reports Asian Lite News

The prestigious talent discovery program, INIFD presents GenNext announced three promising new designers as the winners who will be showcasing their collections at the upcoming Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI set to take place from 11-15th October in New Delhi.

GenNext, one of the most coveted and credible platforms in the Indian fashion industry for up-and-coming designers has established more than 250 designers who now represent the best of fashion in India as well as across borders. For its 36th edition, the winners declared are Arnav Malhotra (No Grey Area), Sonam Khetan (Sonam Khetan) and Prasoon Sharma (Triune).

Like each season, entries were invited for the GenNext program. The shortlisted designers presented their collections to a distinguished jury comprising Harman Dhillon, Vice President at Hindustan Unilever Limited; Sabina Chopra, GenNext Mentor; Mehernaaz Dhondy, Editor in Chief, Grazia India; Amit Aggarwal, renowned fashion designer and Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands.

The INIFD presents GenNext program has been recognized for identifying and providing young and talented designers an opportunity to enhance their skills and take centre-stage in the fashion industry. 

Introducing the latest cohort of GenNext designers, Harman Dhillon, Vice President at Hindustan Unilever Limited said, “Embracing the future of fashion begins with the creative minds we discover and foster through the Gen Next program at Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI. As we return toDelhi, this season’s GenNext designers represent not only the resilience and creativity of a new era but also our commitment towards identifying, nurturing, and empowering young talents who will sculpt the future of global fashion with the transformative power of artistry. We are thrilled to spotlight the GenNext winners as they unfold their creativity, in line with Lakmé’s vision as a fashion forward beauty brand with product lines and collection themes bringing forth a blend of fresh perspectives and avant-garde styles that will illuminate the path for the future of fashion.”

Talking about the GenNext program Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands said, “The GenNext program offers outstanding young talent in the country a prestigious platform like ours to debut and showcase their work to industry leaders in a competitive fashion environment. For a decade and more, this initiative has successfully introduced remarkable designers, some of whom have achieved recognition in both the Indian and global fashion arenas. From the highly promising entries, the winners of the 36th batch of GenNext designers have been carefully selected, and I am excited to witness their growth and success in the fashion industry.”

36TH BATCH OF GENNEXT DESIGNERS: 

Designer Name: Arnav Malhotra

Brand Name: No Grey Area

Age:28

City: Chennai

Arnav Malhotra is an alumnus of the University of Exter and is currently pursuing his passion in the fashion industry. His previous stints include working with brands like Evoluzione and Evolve Clothing Pvt. Ltd.

The new age statement pieces from Arnav’s ‘Inconvenience today for a better tomorrow’ collection is influenced by solving fabric waste issues at the design stage and a particular focus on zero-waste pattern making. The collection features silhouettes and fabrics inspired by the saree. The Kolam, which can be seen across the garments of this season as block prints, embroideries, and jacquards, is an art form that decorates the entrances of homes in India to balance energy.

The colours of the collection are inspired by the bright colours on old Madras homes, which influenced Memphis architecture. Oversize shisha mirror embroidery, carved wood block printing, an oversized Madras check and 3-colour ombres enrich a gender-inclusive range that blends Indian tradition with contemporary luxury.

Designer Name: Sonam Khetan

Brand Name: Sonam Khetan

Age:34

City: New Delhi

Sonam comes with a fashion background with education from NIFT, Istituto Marangoni and Central Saint Martins. In her two-year experience in the industry, she has worked with Balmain, Rahul Mishra, Ludovic De Saint Sernin, to name a few.

Sonam’s brand lays focus on pieces that are durable and representative of a melting pot for ancient and contemporary craftsmanship. She believes that the driving force for her pieces is the time invested in exploring scientific findings and research. Holding a firm belief in increasing awareness for social and environmental issues, each collection from Sonam Khetan tells a story that highlights nature and the environment.

A visual representation of the sounds of the Earth, her collection titled ‘Sight of Sound’, portrays the interpretation of sounds from the perspective of scientists, artists, and Buddhists. The collection is made from all natural fabrics like- linen, hemp, khadi cotton, organic cotton and silk. The pieces have been curated with the help of a women-led artisanal studio that specialises in naturally hand-dyed material made from recycling flowers from ancient temples, and an NGO that specialises in the Japanese Shibori technique. Sight of Sound stands out for its emphasis on hand embroideries, wearable flexibility and surface manipulations.

Designer Name: Prasoon Sharma

Brand Name: Triune

Age :30

City: Jaipur

Prasoon is an alumnus of INIFD. With 3.5 years of experience in fashion, Prasoon’s brand, Triune has been admired and worn by several Bollywood stars.

Described as a portal to nature, his collection titled ‘Bivouac’ transports one into a world void of interruptions. Beautifying imperfections, being raw and untouched are an accurate description of the emotions the collection captures.

Bivouac integrates earthy greens, natural browns, vivid accents, animal motifs and prints with natural patterns found in forests. Different elements of the collection are a reminder of the need for equilibrium and co-existence between the environment and humans.

Several techniques have been incorporated to create the final product. Hand braiding and hand nesting has been used along with dori work to get the texture of rawness of nature. Unique ways have been used to achieve the denim looks for the collection. In addition, there has been use of screen printing to make accurate patterns, and digital printing was utilized to generate intricate and sophisticated imageswith a broad range of colors and effects. The collection uses a range of fabrics like Tencel Dobby, Tencel Satin, Ecru Denim Twill, Cactus textured handwoven cotton and TNT Khadi to accentuate the look of the collection.

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Another brand that is perfect for casual outings is Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva. Her collection of pleated shirt dresses, flared trousers and asymmetrical tops make for perfect day-to-night outfits…reports Nimerta C Sharan

Summer is here and we’re ready to witness what’s trending on the fashion front this season. Lakme Fashion Week 2023 in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India kickstarted on March 9 at the Jio World Garden in Mumbai. Over the past few years, there’s been so much conversation around sustainability — it’s gone mainstream and it’s here to stay for all the right reasons. Here are the highlights from Day 1 which was dedicated to all things eco-fashion.

A befitting platform:

INIFD (Inter National Institute of Fashion Design) Gen Next 2023 winners KoAi, KoyToy, Hiro and Rudrakash Dwivedi presented their respective collections. While KoAi focussed on easy prints and airy silhouettes, KoyToy opted for bright colours and cool motifs. Dwidevi’s collection, “Scintilla” consisted of striking ensembles made from metallic trimmings. Hiro’s clothes that took inspiration from the post-apocalyptic world, were all about smart layering combined with interesting techniques such as stone washing, ruching and smocking.

S for sustainable saris:

Known for her beautiful handwoven saris, designer Anavila Misra presented her collection, “Dabu”. More than 10 years in the business, Misra has created her own version of the classic drape — modern, light and authentic. With this collection, the designer has worked around block printing, vegetable dyeing and muted tones. It was the styling and the raw draping that enhanced the overall look.

Cool casuals:

Delhi-based label Doodleage presented their collection of chic separates made from recycled materials and upcycled wastes. Inspired by nostalgia, the garments represented the 90s vibe with floral prints, solid colours and denims. Another brand that is perfect for casual outings is Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva. Her collection of pleated shirt dresses, flared trousers and asymmetrical tops make for perfect day-to-night outfits.

Actress Rakul Preet Singh turned showstopper for designer Shruti Sancheti dressed in a cool Khadico-ord set. The versatile jackets and flowy kurtas from her summer line, “Khadder” are pieces to look out for. Actor Vijay Varma walked for Divyam Mehta and model-turned-actress Neha Dhupia turned muse for the INIFD launchpad. Some other celebrities spotted were Sonali Bendre, Konkana Sen Sharma and Mandira Bedi.

ALSO READ-Rajesh Pratap Singh is set to make a return to Lakme Fashion Week

All showcases will continue to be live streamed across the platform’s OTT partners Jio TV and Voot and LFW and FDCI social media channels to reach the widespread Indian and global fashion audience…reports Asian Lite News

Lakme Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, is set to kickstart its first edition of 2023 at Jio World Garden in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. The beauty and fashion extravaganza will begin with Sustainable Fashion Day on Thursday 9th March and will culminate with the Lakme Grand Finale on Sunday, March 12.

Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI – the country’s most premium fashion event will be seen bringing to the fore a host of new, emerging and established talent across the industry to put forth a world-class beauty and fashion event. The platform in keeping with its tradition will offer two showcase areas (the Runway and the Atelier) for designers to bring their designs to life along with the Central Avenue that will play host to captivating conversations.

All showcases will continue to be live streamed across the platform’s OTT partners Jio TV and Voot and LFW and FDCI social media channels to reach the widespread Indian and global fashion audience. The FDCI Showroom will attract buyers from across the globe helping design talent to explore business avenues and opportunities.

Harman Dhillon, Vice President, Hindustan Unilever Limited said, “As India’s first and biggest make up and premium skincare brand, Lakme has always taken pride in leading the narrative on fashion and beauty and is now raising the impact at this intersection even more at Lakme Fashion Week. We are truly looking forward to the newest edition of Lakme Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI. Given Lakme Fashion Week is the mecca of the confluence of beauty and fashion in the country, it is here that we want to embark upon our new journey of “Unapologetically Me” – to partner the modern Indian woman to own her beauty and embrace it unapologetically. We look forward to our alliance with all the talented designers, makeup and hair artists, and models to curate a range of showstopping, unapologetic looks with our widespread portfolio and latest launches, Lakme Absolute Lip Mousse and Lakme 9to5 CC Mousse.”

Sunil Sethi, Chairman FDCI commented, “We are all excited to return to Mumbai with this edition of Lakme Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI. As we continue to foster a partnership that brings to the fore the best of talent we currently have in India in the fashion and design space, we could not be more excited to spotlight new and emerging talent as well as give a platform to established designers to bring their creativity to life. Audiences can expect never seen before manifestations of design on the runway that we are sure will contribute to a sustainable growth of fashion and nurture the industry as a whole.”

Jaspreet Chandok, Head RISE Fashion and Lifestyle said, “We are delighted to continue creating magic in fashion as we kickstart 2023 with another exciting edition in Mumbai. This season will celebrate the incredible talent presenting their work, the brand partners who continue their belief in us each season along with the new collaborators who are beginning their journey with us. Stakeholders across the industry can be assured that this season has something interesting in store for all.”

ALSO READ-Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI announces dates for 2023 editions

Our collection has been carefully crafted in stylish and easy silhouettes at a diffusion price point and is texture and detail driven…says Suneet Varma

Bata India, one of India’s leading footwear brands, is set to collaborate with one of the country’s leading designers, Suneet Varma, as he prepares to launch his first ready-to-wear collection at the upcoming FDCI X Lakme Fashion Week in New Delhi. Suneet’s design ethos and breezy silhouettes will be combined with Bata’s timeless designs for the new Summer Spring Collection 2022.

Gunjan Shah, MD and CEO-Bata India Limited said: “We are pleased to associate with FDCI X Lakme Fashion Week as the official ‘Lifestyle Footwear Partner’ for the third year in a row. Bata has been influencing trends and dressing our consumers’ feet with elegance and panache across the globe for over a century. We have carved a niche by being at the forefront of design innovation, bringing new styles through our Design centres across the world. Our partnerships with young and established designers and association with leading fashion events across the world have helped in bringing in-vogue designs to Gen Z and Millennials. This year, we are delighted to collaborate with designer Suneet Varma whose design philosophy complements our fashion forward imagery as reflected in our brands, Bata Red Label and Marie Claire. Our new collections draw inspiration from fashion trends across the world, like woven-strap designs, croco textures, square toes and have been curated keeping in mind the evolving lifestyles of the modern consumer. While the collection is up for preview at the FDCI X Lakme Fashion Week, it will soon be available across select Bata stores, Bata.in, and select online marketplaces.”

The collection, titled ‘The Eternal Lightness of Being,’ aims to celebrate life and living in the moment with youthful, elegant day and evening separates that transition easily from casual to a more special occasion with just a slight twist in styling. Suneet’s designs are known for being effortless, feminine, and elegant, and they closely mirror Bata’s design philosophy. The collection will feature crinkled chiffon, crushed georgette, sheer organza, and black, red, and colourful thread embroideries with caressing textures. Along with these, tasselled short dresses, trousers, color-on-color sequin and thread embroidery on long evening dresses with seductive slits, origami-inspired rope embroidery on jackets and short sexy sarees will demonstrate Suneet’s design philosophy of youthful sophistication.

Designer Suneet Varma said, “As the Spring gets us all geared up to add some drama to our wardrobe, we are excited to present our new collection at the FDCI X Lakme Fashion Week. Our collection has been carefully crafted in stylish and easy silhouettes at a diffusion price point and is texture and detail driven. We are also thrilled to have our super chic dresses paired with the timeless & stylish footwear from Bata. Bata India has always believed in capturing the imagination of the youth with value-driven trendy products and we completely resonate with their design philosophy.”

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