Contrasting Colour Palettes at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014

Sanjay Garg

Textile designer Sanjay Garg’s label ‘Raw Mango’ brought forth a mesmerising collection featuring gorgeous Indian textiles. Sanjay’s revival of chanderi, mushru and craft traditions of West Bengal and Akola for his hand-woven textiles is nationally renowned.

Sanjay Garg

Bringing back the beauty of Indian textiles, Sanjay displayed hand-woven engineered fabrics that created a panel size repeat of large curvilinear designs. Having researched and worked in various weaving clusters in India, Sanjay selected Varanasi for this intricate design and pattern. The gorgeous collections were created in the kadwa brocade technique of Varanasi, where the ornamentation of motifs use extra weft.

Sanjay Garg

Dividing the collection in jewel tones of shocking pink, deep blue, peach, gold, white and parrot green the gorgeous gold motifs of flowers, birds and intricate traditional designs were stunning visions. Remaining loyal to a limited variety of silhouettes for the regal garments—empire line midi, simple maxi, quilted jackets and sherwanis, lean kurtas, waisted-frocks, paneled gowns, saris, lehengas, pajamas and shararas—swirled down the ramp on graceful models.

Soumitra Mondal

Bringing unique weaves and the juxtaposition of patterns, motifs and techniques in embroidery, Soumitra Mondal for his label ‘Marg’ presented ‘Woven Royalty’—a revival of classic Indian heritage at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014.

Soumitra Mondal

Inspired by the attire and lifestyle of vintage royal Indian families, Soumitra had skilled craftsmen to recreate the fabrics. The jamdani, khadi, silk and cottons with a twist in the weaves, displayed a predominantly beige colour story with hints of pink and gold. Aimed at modern Indian woman who adores the aristocratic look, Soumitra offered silhouettes that ranged from A-line, knee, and ankle-length for bundgalas, tops and jackets. Saris appeared in gorgeous weaves to appease the desires of the traditional dresser.

Soumitra Mondal

Saris were elegantly regal with tiny butties splashed all over or with luxurious resham borders showing hints of glitter. Stylish bundgalas with parallel pants, capris with kurtas sported tonal embroidery, flared mini kurti and a reversible waistcoat were ideal for semi formal wear. Going in for more intense embellishments, Soumitra had silk motifs that cascaded down shoulders to waist for garments often teamed with wide flared pants. Mirror work gradually crept in for a long sleeved kurta and the final peach lehenga, choli and dupatta were ideal wedding attire.

Pakistani Designers, Sania Maskatiya, Riawan Beyg and Zara Shahjahan presented fashion flavours of Pakistan at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014

The ramp came alive with glitz and glamour of three top Pakistani designers presented by POPxo.com in association with HELLO.

Rizwan Beyg

‘Digitruck’ by Rizwan Beyg– Working with rural communities that empower women, Rizwan Beyg’s collection incorporated soft, feminine, romantic feel that will appeal to women who long for aesthetically designed ensembles. Inspiration for Rizwan was the very colourful truck art, which Pakistan is known for.

Rizwan Beyg

Using the many designs and colours of this very quirky form for a variety of garments like jackets, pants, tops, waistcoats, skirts and accessories; Rizwan offered a characteristic style statement of his country. Presenting a funky line called ‘Digitruck’, which also included jewellery, shoes and bags, the collection was a riot of colours on the ramp. Tiered miniskirts, white bustier, asymmetric dress, off-shoulder dhoti jumpsuit, orange flared top with satin printed sharara, and printed corset with blue flapper pants were all fun filled offerings for the young at heart. The empire line georgette cover off- shoulder blouse, tiered maxi drop waist printed corset dress and the will-power asymmetric gown with a long trail looked striking on the catwalk.

Sania Maskatiya

‘Sakura’ by Sania Maskatiya– After launching her label in 2007, Sania Maskatiya is one of the fastest selling brands in Pakistan. Short listed for the 2014 Woolmark Award, Sania’s fashion statement was a remarkable balance between elegance, aesthetics, comfort and above all practicality.

Sania Maskatiya

Inspired by nature and her surroundings, the collection called ‘Sakura’ was an ode to the Cherry Blossoms of Japan. The embellishments recreated Japanese flavour with landscapes and culture and had hints of treasure chest motifs. The blend of geometric embroidery and great textures added to the opulent look of the garments. Sania’s creations were divided into prét-a-porter, luxury and haute couture for women and had the interplay of colours and intricate detailing, which was the basis of her collection. The beauty of Japanese motifs came alive in the printed tunics, sheer flared beige top, one-shoulder satin tunic and pleated printed organza waistcoats. White pants were topped with a variety of cropped tops and blouses; while overlapped tunics, a gorgeous reversible asymmetric cover, angular two-tone tunic and draped printed column gown, over pants completed the look of the ensembles.

Zara Shahjahan

‘The City of Gardens’ by Zara Shahjahan– Zara Shahjahan’s creations were aimed at making women look beautiful and confident. Her decade old label has been a hot favourite in Pakistan and beyond. Creating a variety of categories that ranged from luxury prét to western wear and couture, Zara’s designing skills were amply evident in the extravagant detailing. The gara embroidery, Swarovski crystals and the amazing handcrafted embellishments were selectively used.

Zara Shahjahan

‘The City of Gardens’ was the title for Zara’s vintage collection, where old Lahore and floral vintage prints were the highlight. Merging traditional designs from her country with modern high fashion quotients, Zara offered a fusion look to the buyer. Shimmer and shine was the basis of this ethereal collection, which opened with a delicate sari followed by an organza-sequined attached cape for a feminine top. Printed, pleated maxi skirt, net covers with tilla work, sequined sheeting for skirt with lace cover and the one sleeve waistcoat-cum-cape were gorgeous in appearance. Glittering rhinestone, scalloped kurti cutwork top with printed embroidered drop waist skirt and the cut-out sleeve net kurta matched to a flowing sharara created magic on the ramp.