Pratishtha Rana
The Fashion Design Council of India concluded its 12th edition of India Couture Week on July 28. The Delhi runway had turned into a cosmopolitan arena of designs, as budding and established fashion designers showed their creations, inspired by different cultures and stories.
1. Amit Aggarwal- Lumen
Amit Aggarwal opened the curtains of India Couture Week 2019 with a radiating collection titled, Lumen. Amit took cues from his experience at a virtual reality show in London, called ‘We Live in An Ocean of Air’, which explored the invisible connection between humans and plants through the air we breathe.
Layering hand embroidery and illusion of colours played a dramatic role in his designs, with recycled polymer, gossamer tulle lace, organza, jacquard and silk as its main elements. Kiara Advani dazzled the ramp in Amit’s bold red bridal lehenga paired with a low V-cut blouse and a green emerald necklace, harmonizing foliage patterns and glamour together.
2. Sulakshna Monga – The Cultural Cascade
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Sulakshna Monga’s ICW 2019 couture line was about ethnicity and colour from the lands of Benaras. The designer used Benarasi weave, organza, soft silk and georgette as a canvas to hand embroider calligraphy of vedic chants to assemble a range of lehengas, sarees and menswear. Malaika Arora strutted the ramp in Monga’s light green lehenga set, an artsy inspiration from the holy ghats of the city, keeping the narrative traditional, but with a twist.
3. Pankaj and Nidhi- Mosaiq
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Pankaj and Nidhi debuted at ICW 2019 with their futuristic collection named Mosaiq. The duo combined 3D hand cut appliques, geometric patterns and metallic fabric biscuits on canvas of tulle, satin and organza for an extraordinary look. Aditi Rao Hyadri walked in one-sleeved, soft pink organza blouse and a trailing skirt embedded with gild appliques.
4. Shyamal & Bhumika- The Renaissance Muse
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Called the Renaissance Muse, the designer duo travelled back in time to the 15th century, to design an elite couture defined by vintage frescoes and floral painting patterns. Laden with detailed beading and embellishments, Shyamal and Bhumika used fabrics like raw silk, tulle, crepe, georgette, organza and velvet with a diverse palette of muted and blush colours.
5. Rahul Mishra- Malhausi Monaco
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Rahul Mishra played on the romance of Monaco with his karigari of 3D architectural elements, florals and Swarovski crystals. He narrated scenes of forests, lakes and landscapes on fabrics like silk organza and Muga silk. Ivory, peach, pastels and mint blue were Mishra’s choice of colours, featured in his gowns, lehengas, sarees, kurtas and jackets.
6. Falguni Shane Peacock- Bonjour Amer!
The designer duo greeted India Couture Week 2019, Bonjour Amer!. Inspired from the Pink city, Jaipur, Falguni Shane Peacock had Sara Ali Khan walk as the showstopper on day five. She wore a lehenga sequinned ivory set, fit for a modern bride.
7. Gaurav Gupta- Undercurrent
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Gaurav Gupta celebrated 15 years in the fashion industry by surprising the audience with his innovative creation called ‘Undercurrent’ and showcase of his jewellery label, ‘Gaurav Gupta fine occasions jewellery’. Model and actor Diana Penty sported a sleek, silver mermaid gown, embodying the designer’s couture concept of wearable art. He chose softer and sophisticated palette of colours, elevated with crafts of zardozi and chikankari.
8. Reynu Taandon- The Savannah Saga
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Vibrant, Indian, lots of mirror work and flowy trails defined Reynu Taandon’s couture on the runway of India Couture Week 2019. Bollywood’s up and coming actress, Rakulpreet Singh adorned a blouse and lehenga set from Taandon’s ‘The Savannah Saga’, decked with mirror work and tassels.
9. Suneet Varma- Amara
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Suneet Varma showed on day two of ICW 2019, a collection of 52 pieces from his line titled Amara, which means the light within. Through a lavish work of beads, Swarovski crystals, mirrors and hand embroidery on satin, net and silk, the designer kept the touch of tradition intact in his range of lehengas, sarees and contemporary wear.
10. Tarun Tahiliani- Bloom
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Tarun Tahiliani closed the FDCI India Couture Week 2019 with a 72-piece collection titled Bloom. A mix of bridal pieces, occasion and festive wear, Tahiliani’s line featured many embroideries, Kashida- Kashmir’s fine zari work.
