Exotic Collections of Shivan & Narresh and Swapnil Shinde at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012

Mumbai, Monday, August 06, 2012: DHL presented an exciting show with ‘Speed’ as its theme which is the brand’s distinct quality. The black acrylic ramp, the high-tech laser show and the opening with waves of Technicolor strobes set the mood for the first collection by designers Shivan & Narresh.

Shivan & Narresh Created a Collection Inspired by DHL’s Speed Theme at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 

With the legendary stallion, Equus as an inspiration, Shivan & Narresh created a luxurious collection to match the theme from DHL which was Speed. The beautiful collection reflected the shimmer of metallic sheen and the grace of the inspiration for creations that dazzled on the runway. 

Their new fabrics which were inspired by the gloss of a horse’s skin were ideal for the swim and cruise line. The exciting handmade louvered jersey was moulded into stylish mailot, bikini, dress, gown, sari, tankini, trikini, jumpsuits and shirts as well as the duo’s newest addition after their bikini sari and Kaftan sari the “Kafsuit”.

Detailing was restricted to braiding which was an obvious reminder of the horse mane and appeared to highlight the bodice and necks of the garments. Tassels entered the collection in the crystallised form to recreate the tassels on royal horses. The very abstract horse print in black appeared discreetly for the mailots; while at other times there were geometric motifs to break the solid colour tones.

The colour story was muted with grey, brown, beige, ice grey, black and acid for the body moulding creations which were beautifully finished and constructed. The finale entry - a slinky gown with the long horse mane as the only embellishment in front, reminded the audience very firmly about the speed of DHL and the imagery of the stallion.

The 26 piece collection which was displayed briskly on the ramp by Shivan & Narresh for DHL, once again proved that when it comes to fashion for in and out of the water the pair is still the undisputed leader.

Swapnil Shinde Presented his Ultra Chic Collection Inspired by DHL’s Theme Speed at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012

Inspired by Bollywood’s horror films of the 50’s and early 60’s Swapnil Shinde presented an ultra-mod collection called “Frozen Fragility” to match the DHL theme ‘Speed’ at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012.

To the strains of eerie music and an equally eerie display of laser lights the show opened with three draped gowns in red, black and white with wired wing-like shapes to depict the flying pallav of the heroine in a Bollywood horror movie.

With silhouettes borrowed from the two eras, Swapnil had cinched waistlines, voluminous skirts, exaggerated sleeves and large prominent shoulder emphasis for the almost space age like creations but with a unique fragile delicate quality.

Colours ranged from black and ivory to various shades of slate and steel blue, blood red and sunflower yellow. Using clever manipulations of the fabrics like folding, pleating and mixing structured shapes with fluidity; Swapnil created a fashionable treat for the audience. The white draped sari gown with gold belt, the draped organza bodice with long shirt, the shirt cum dress, the ribbed silk kimono sleeve version, the sari gown in steel blue and the yellow draped mini with wired wings fitted into the inspiration. The exaggerated wired brocade blouse with pleated skirt and the final three white, black and yellow long gowns with upright wired effects not only denoted speed but the free flowing drapes of garments.

Blending his inspirations of Speed and Horror imaginatively, Swapnil Shinde’s “Frozen Fragility” presented by DHL was a fashion happening.