photograph by vinay javkar
GAURANG SHAH
Fashion peeps always love a good live performance. Shah roped in a live band and two kathakali dancers to set the mood for a show that was all about romance and the timelessness of beautiful weaves like kanjeevaram, uppada, paithani and patan patola.
Our Bollywood radar pinged quite a few times on day 2—Lisa Haydon walked for Swati Vijaivargie, Aditi Rao Hydari for Ritu Kumar and Gauhar Khan at Rinku Sobti.
photograph by vinay javkar
DIVYA SHETH
The designer’s subtle collection featured abundant kalamkari work and shimmering gota and dabka embroidery, on voluminous, flowing silhouettes. Our favourite piece was the adorable maxi with kalamkari flowers on the back and a hand-painted landscape of boats and clouds on the front. Perfect for sunset drinks by the beach.
VRISA BY RAHUL AND SHIKHA
The duo gave the idea of optical prints an Indian twist with geometric, ajrak block-printed patterns. Easy to wear long and short kurtas were layered with cigarette pants, sleeveless jackets, button-down anarkalis and cropped vests in an earthy palette of steel blue, charcoal grey and stone brown.
photograph by vinay javkar
SWATI VIJAIVARGIE
Although she was inspired by traditional kilim and dhurrie weaving, Vijaivargie’s kept her silhouettes distinctly up to date—think modish mini dresses, fit and flare skrits, assymetrical hemmed maxis and coats in rich shades of emerald green, midnight blue and wine red.
photograph by vinay javkar
ASHDEEN Z LILAOWALA
The designer is known for his revival of traditional, Parsi gara embroidery. Continuing that exploration, his ‘The Scent of the Orient’ collection was infused with Chinese motifs—think roses and chrysanthemums, exotic birds and chinoiserie motifs on slippery chiffon and silk saris and lehengas.
photograph by vinay javkar
ANITA DONGRE
A fitting culmination to Indian Handloom and Textile Day, the powerhouse designer took the opportunity to launch her new organic fashion label Grassroot. With an eye on the high street, she sent out a selection of wearable separates in earthy tones. Proving her commitment to the cause of sustainable fashion, she even skipped on her usual Bollywood showstopper and instead invited the the craftswomen from Gujarat to take to the ramp and be acknowledged for their work.
photograph by vinay javkar
RITU KUMAR
For the past year, the venerable Kumar has been focussing her efforts on working with the weavers of Varanasi. Yesterday’s showcase was a result of these efforts to highlight the innovation and beauty inherent in their work. Kumar took her final bow with showstopper Aditi Rao Hydari as well as the weavers from Benaras themselves.
photograph by vinay javkar
KA-SHA BY KARISHMA SHAHANI KHAN
A nominee of the L'Oréal Paris Femina Women Awards 2015, Shahani Khan has the ability to give ethnic wear a fresh, approachable touch. This time around we saw hints of shimmer at the collars, on the tassels and in the embroideries of her colour-blocked looks.