Highlights from Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI 2024
- Fashion Featured
Anushka Manik- 13 minutes read
Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI returned to India’s capital, showcasing an array of innovative designs and breathtaking creativity from October 9 to 13 at The Grand. This much-anticipated event, renowned for setting trends and spotlighting emerging talents, attracted fashion enthusiasts and industry stalwarts alike. With a commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, designers embraced diverse inspirations—from the earthy beauty of Indian grasslands to the vibrant culture of Rajasthan. Each collection told a unique story, capturing the essence of contemporary fashion while honouring traditional craftsmanship. Here, we present a curated selection of the standout collections that defined this season’s runway, celebrating the artistry and vision of India’s finest designers.
MUSHK’s Bridal Couture Spotlights Heritage
MUSHK showcased a stunning couture collection at Lakmé Fashion Week, focusing on handwoven embroidery that reflects traditional artistry. The collection featured a soft colour palette of antique gold, shimmering champagne, and dusky pink, presented through elegant silhouettes such as intricately embroidered jackets, flowing lehengas, and structured peplums. Grooms were also catered for with a selection of embroidered blazers and handcrafted sherwanis. Shraddha Kapoor walked the ramp as the showstopper, wearing a beautiful baby pink lehenga with a Banarasi touch. Her outfit featured luxurious brocade velvet adorned with intricate cutdana and moti work, complemented by a scalloped dupatta and a coordinating blouse. Nishit Gupta, Director at KALKI, emphasized the collection’s roots in cultural heritage while introducing modern elements. He aimed for the MUSHK collection to resonate with those celebrating significant life events. KALKI’s collection is available at flagship stores and online, perfect for couples looking for elegant bridal fashion.
Ethereal Bloom Celebrates Bridal Transformation
Lakmē Salon joined forces with designer Samant Chauhan to unveil the Ethereal Bloom bridal collection at Lakmé Fashion Week in New Delhi. This captivating showcase featured a stunning array of bridal makeup and hair inspired by the beauty of flowers. The collection includes flowing gowns, Indian wear, and capes, all adorned with handcrafted embroideries from Bhagalpur, presented in a vibrant palette of ivory, reds, peaches, and pinks. The runway featured striking looks, such as Rouge Bloom’s bold red lips and the soft Peach Poppy, radiating freshness and elegance. Dia Mirza dazzled as the showstopper, wearing an exquisite design from the collection. Vipul Chaturvedi, CEO of Lakmē Lever, highlighted the transformative power of beauty in this collaboration, inviting brides to embrace their unique essence. Ethereal Bloom offers a perfect blend of artistry and individuality for every bride on her special day.
Five Designers Celebrate A Fashion Staple, Denims
The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) presented “The Denim Edit” at Lakmē Fashion Week, showcasing the enduring appeal of denim through five leading Indian designers. “Denim is a universal staple across wardrobes, age groups, and genders,” said Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, highlighting the fabric’s versatility. Ashish N Soni embraced a “less is more” philosophy, presenting tailored separates with oversized jeans and jackets in a range of washes. Countrymade’s Sushant Abrol introduced the “Trail Dust” collection, where denim served as a canvas for life’s adventures, featuring natural creases and patchwork. Dhruv Kapoor’s limited-edition line blended retro charm with modern design, showcasing a variety of silhouettes. Kanika Goyal’s KGL label redefined denim through refined tailoring and bold graphics, while 11.11/eleven eleven transformed sustainable practices into fashionable statements. Each designer’s unique expression breathed new life into this timeless fabric.
Pearl Academy’s Students put on a Women-Centred Show
India’s Pearl Academy, in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), presented a groundbreaking iteration of “First Cut” at Lakmé Fashion Week on October 13, 2024. This platform showcases the debut collections of final-year fashion design students, allowing them to exhibit their creativity to a global audience. This year’s theme celebrates the resilience and evolution of women in Indian society, aligning with Navratri—a time to honour the divine essence of womanhood. The collection reflects the journey of women in India, from revered goddesses like Kali and Durga to the legendary warrior queen, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. Aditi Srivastava, President of Pearl Academy, stated, “Our society has always celebrated strong women… yet their strength remains unshaken. This collection serves as a reminder that women must never be taken for granted.” Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, emphasised the importance of nurturing emerging talent in fashion, showcasing the innovative ideas of Pearl Academy’s students, who draw inspiration from India’s rich cultural heritage. The designs feature bold symbolism that resonates with themes of resilience and empowerment, capturing the unwavering quest for justice in contemporary society.
Designers Experiment with Bridal Wear
Lakmé Fashion Week celebrated diverse bridal wear with stunning collections from Megha Bansal, Salita Nanda, and Romaa Agarwal. Megha Bansal’s “Khwaab – Khawaishyon Ka Shamiyana” paid homage to Indian artisans, featuring traditional Indian wear and fusion ensembles. The collection showcased Mughal jaali patterns, striking sleeves, and luxurious silks adorned with hand embroidery, creating ethereal looks perfect for brides. Salita Nanda’s “Cielo” offered a vibrant blend of weightless forms and structured silhouettes, inspired by the song “Il Cielo in Una stanza.” Hand-painted bold prints and versatile robes added modern flair to traditional bridal attire. Romaa Agarwal’s “Aheli” collection embodied floral elegance, merging lush silks with sheer tulle. The delicate floral motifs and reimagined silhouettes offered a diverse range from concept saris to bridal lehenga sets. Together, these designers showcased unique interpretations of bridal wear, ensuring every bride finds her dream ensemble that resonates with her journey.
Pankaj and Nidhi Present “Loop” with Infinity Motifs
Pankaj and Nidhi unveiled their “Loop” collection, inspired by the Infinity symbol, showcasing a narrative through distinctive sensibilities at Lakmé Fashion Week. The designers presented a rich array of embellished ensembles and intense construction, featuring column-like silhouettes, structured jackets, wide-leg pleated pants, kimono bomber jackets, and sharp jumpsuits. Actor Sharvari Wagh closed the show in a striking kimono bomber adorned with an intricately embroidered infinity loop pattern, paired with a tuxedo yoke and a duchess satin mini cocoon skirt. A standout feature was the innovative detachable tuxedo yokes, designed as versatile accessories for layering with various outfits. The colour palette featured burgundy, Bordeaux, and claret, balanced with nude and black. Pankaj and Nidhi’s craftsmanship included cutwork, pixelated embroidery, and luxe fabrics like glazed silk organza, making “Loop” a significant addition for winter and spring wardrobes.
Monisha Jaising Shows Luxe Resort Wear for Destination Weddings
The rise of holiday and destination weddings continues to enchant stylish couples, and Monisha Jaising’s collection, “The Sailing Bride 2.0,” debuted at Lakmé Fashion Week with this in mind. Aimed at brides who envision exchanging vows on sunlit beaches or luxurious yachts, the show opened with the glamorous Shalini Passi, who radiated elegance in a metallic kaftan, merging modern glamour with heritage craftsmanship. This fluid drape offered graceful movement, perfect for day-to-night transitions. Reviving inspiration from her 2017 cruise liner presentation, Monisha’s latest collection showcased relaxed silhouettes, ideal for beachwear. Sheer kurtis and flowing kaftans served as chic swimsuit covers, while heavily embellished co-ord sets stood out as glamorous alternatives to traditional gowns. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni dazzled in a gown inspired by Banarasi brocade, celebrating traditional artistry with a modern twist. “The Sailing Bride 2.0” resonates with the modern bride, encouraging her to embrace individuality while making luxurious fashion statements.
Bold Statements in Menswear
The GenNext show at Lakmé Fashion Week, in partnership with FDCI, marked the start of Deepit Chugh’s journey with his menswear label, Line Outline. A graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Deepit showcased designs inspired by urban architecture, reflecting the convergence of city life and diverse personalities. The runway featured theatre artist Chintan R Rachh, who opened the show in a striking white jacket adorned with pitta and beadwork, paired with wide-leg fringed pants. Deepit’s collection balanced sturdy suiting materials with sheer tulle, oversized lapels, and geometric prints, focusing on comfort and wearability. Alongside Deepit, Rahul Singh’s “Modern Boheme” catered to stylish men, featuring summer linens in masculine shades and Shibori patterns. Vikram Bajaj paid homage to grey in his collection “Life of Grey,” fusing sporty couture with avant-garde silhouettes. Together, these designers are redefining menswear, embracing bold, adventurous expressions.
Nature-Inspired Elegance by Abhishek Sharma and Punit Balana
Abhishek Sharma’s “Trin” collection, meaning grass in Sanskrit, captured the earthy essence of Indian grasslands at Lakmé Fashion Week, in partnership with FDCI. Drawing inspiration from the undulating landscape, Abhishek transformed the rawness of nature into opulent surface textures and silhouettes. The collection featured heat-textured fabrics and raffia, enhanced by intricate kantha embroidery, 3D embellishments, and striking matka silk, linen, and velvet. A gradient of colours, transitioning from tangerine to midnight blue, set the scene for power-shouldered jackets, sensuous gowns, and asymmetric drapes, all designed for comfort and stylish freedom. The show was graced by international supermodel Ujjawala Raut, who showcased a stunning gold gown with a thigh-high slit. In contrast, Punit Balana’s “Johari Bazaar” collection paid homage to Jaipur’s vibrant culture. Inspired by the city’s sights and sounds, Punit recreated a mini-Johari Bazaar for the show. His designs featured traditional silhouettes with rich embroidery and jewel tones, complemented by Sobhita Dhulipala as the elegant showstopper in a lavish lehenga.
