Highlights from the star-studded Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019

Pratishtha Rana

A universe of fashion, designs, creators, culture, Bollywood and more, Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019 was a week-long star-studded event. A stellar beginning saw Manish Malhotra opening the show with Katrina Kaif, whereas Gauri & Nainika brought the fashion saga to an end with Kareena Kapoor owning the grand finale show.

Completing 20 years, with the first Lakme Fashion Week in 1999, this year’s wrap-up witnessed a massive count of designers and celebrities who with all their creative energy came together for one of the most followed fashion platforms in India.

1. Katrina Kaif in Manish Malhotra

A resplendent onset to the festive mood, Manish Malhotra’s Maahrumysha made a case for those who like it traditional with inclusions of bling and modernity. The opening show was a true trademark of Malhotra; dazzling, royal and very Bollywood with Katrina Kaif owning the grand runway in a deep green velvet lehenga with intricate gold detailing and a blouse with a plunging neckline and dramatic sleeves. Statement jewellery, loose curls and smoky eyes perfected the overall look.

2. Kareena Kapoor in Gauri Nainika

Lakme’s brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor was a ravishing sight in Gauri & Nainika outfit. The actress adorned a black satin Duchess gown with an extended train, a bold red lip and a neat bun.

3. Shibani Dandekar and Farhan Akhtar in Payal Singhal

There was a lot to celebrate at Payal Singhal’s showcase. The designer completed her 20 years in the fashion industry along with Lakme Fashion Week and cheering her  were Shibani  Dandekar and Farhan Akhtar, walking for her collection #PS20. The quirky and colourful collection took the audience to the bazaars of Turkey and Morocco and displayed a mix of skirts, cropped pants and blouses, kaftans, saris, jumpsuits and more.

4. Genelia Deshmukh in Saroj Jalan

Saroj Jalan generously used reds, greens, ivory and beige to portray the playful brides and bridesmaids of today. Genelia Deshmukh marked her return on the ramp after five years in Saroj Jalan’s Banji collection; a classic red lehenga paired with a stunning blouse, crimped hair, bohemian jewellery and a vivacious strut down the runway.

 5. Soha Ali Khan in Kavita Agarwal

Royalty was redefined when Soha Ali Khan dressed in Kavita Aggarwal’s beige set of lehenga choli with an embellished dupatta walked the ramp on day 5 of Lakme Fashion Week. Kavita Aggarwal designed a celebratory and a royal yet subtle collection of lehengas, marked with toned colours of beige, golden and green.

6. Ananya Panday in Arpita Mehta and Anushree Reddy

Called the blockbuster brides, Arpita Mehta and Anushree Reddy created an extravagant scene out of a lavish Bollywood wedding, marked with luxurious ensembles in popping bright colours. Ananya Panday played the muse for both the designers and donned two looks back to back during the showcase. For Anushree Reddy, the actress was dressed in a metallic white and silver lehenga set, minimal makeup and a heavy-looking statement necklace. For Arpita Mehta, the actress chose to keep it all fun in a lovely pink lehenga and embroidered-sleeved blouse. Curls, blush on the cheeks and statement bangles finished Ananya’s elegant look.

 7. Lisa Haydon and Hardik Pandya in Amit Aggarwal

Futuristic, unique and flashing with colours, Amit Aggarwal’s collection called Flux was a luxury pret range in collaboration with R-Elan. Every silhouette is a work of technique and technology dominated with intense colours plum, purple, emerald, blush, silver and ivory. Lisa Haydon was an embodiment of power woman in a purple sari and Hardik Pandya turned heads in a purple sheen wrap jacket and pants, both outfits an illustration of 3D drapes, sleeves and power shoulders.

8. Arjun Kapoor in Kunal Rawal

Kunal Rawal collaborated with Boat to bring an avant-garde spin on how the new-age grooms want to dress. Rawal’s collection termed confluence was dynamic and every piece was a style statement in itself teamed with Boat’s audio accessories on the ramp. Arjun Kapoor turned showstopper and donned a khaki bandhgala buttoned jacket with easy dark brown trousers.

 9. Tara Sutaria in Label Ritu Kumar

Label Ritu Kumar introduced structured pastoral on Lakme Fashion Week’s runway, inspired by a super chic, country-style look. Lots of frills, pleats, overlays and belts outlined the outfits. Tara Sutaria closed the show in a mini white pinafore dress matched with black halter neck overlay, a leather belt and loose beaded tassels.

10. Esha Deol with Radhya in Hamleys Ramp Camp

An exciting show packed with style aspirations of kids, the luxury toy brand Hamleys collaborated with fashion guru Neeraj Gaba to bring young fashion models on the ultimate runway of Lakme Fashion Week 2019. Bringing the celebrity factor in was Esha Deol walking in sync with her little one, Radhya.