Gaurang Shah and Shruti Sancheti Opened Indian Textile Day at Lakmé Fashion Week

It was Return of the 1950’s and 1960’s Glamour for Gaurang Shah’s Collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 Season

Mumbai, Sunday, August 5, 2012: Bringing together a clever mix of beautiful saris, anarkalis and ghagras, Gaurang Shah dazzled the audience with ethnic wear at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012.

Calling his collection “Ardhagini” Gaurang presented garments that will appeal to the modern bride. The colours were the ever popular yellow, orange, red and pink - all very auspicious for that important day in a girl’s life. Working around the beauty of Kanjeevarams, Kalamkari and zardozi, the designer highlighted the intricate weaving known as Korvai for the magnificent South Indian saris.

It was the return of the glamorous 1950’s and 1960’s retro look, that Gaurang recreated with the beauty of Kanjeevaram silks and splashed them with animal motifs in bright hues that will be a dream come true for any bride.

The permutations and combinations of the Kalamkari prints with the beautiful brocades, were extremely creative and experimental. Gaurang brought the different prints in hot colours like saffron, gold, red, vermillion, green, black, blue for the salwars, cholis, saris, luxurious lehengas, and dupattas. The varied textures of the fabrics were beautifully brought together in each entry and the discreet zardozi embroidery appeared on sleeve edges and dupattas. Kurtas were regal and varied from floor to ankle length, at times panelled or pleated but at the same time allowed the gorgeous Indian textiles to remain the cynosure of all eyes.

Brocades with intricate zari and silk weave, glittered under the ramp lights with the prominent detailing being the giant “latkans” or tassels ending with animal shapes hanging at the back of cholis, or dupattas.

Gaurang Shah picked the most perfect show stopper for his display – the ever beautiful, elegant and charming Kirron Kher who glided down the ramp in a rich ivory brocade sari.

The rich heritage in textiles and prints was brought to centre stage by Gaurang Shah, in stunning creations and saris, which will delight the hearts of Indian women around the country.

Shruti Sancheti’s Smouldering Dramatic Collection Dazzled on the Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 Ramp

The collection was called “Thar” and Shruti Sancheti ensured that the smouldering beauty of her inspiration was reflected in her collection for Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012.

Working creatively with Shibori, the look was rustically nomadic along with the unique stitch resistant technique of the Nebsarai village. The ombré effects and Shibori patterns played a magical melody with the Sindhi Tanka or Kutch stitch, which is a trademark of the region.

Adding negative appliqués, herringbone, chain and buttonhole stitches; Shruti brought in the handloom fabrics and a melange of colours like red, fuchsia, deep orange, mango yellow, indigo, royal purple, emerald and mixed them with olive, tangerine and peach.

Opening the show to the drum beats of the Thar region the youthful dancer Vaishali, swirled gracefully on the stage recreating the atmosphere of the culture.

The designer displayed saris, worn with Jodhpuri pants, cowl trousers, ijjars or churidars creating an unconventional duo. Shruti gave angarkhas, ghaghris, chogas, quilted jackets, kedia cholis and beautiful asymmetric maxis her distinct touches. There was a mix and match quality in the separates to create different looks.

The layering of the garments - at time 3 or 4 for one entry was done with amazing skill as the different colours, silhouettes and styles came together seamlessly to create magic on the ramp. Asymmetric hemlines were a favourite for the tunics and kurtas, which were teamed with slim or flowing pants. Tiny sexy boleros looked very stylish with cholis; while front drapes for the dresses with square cut-out backs added   interesting detailing directions. Asymmetric smocks with embroidered collars, long embellished bibs for kurtas over skirts and the heavily embroidered sherwanis and lehengas gave a festive touch to the collection.

Making a dramatic show stopping entry at the end of the show was designer and politician, Shaina NC in a beautiful fuchsia printed sari with lavish work.