Neha Modi’s collection The Classic Palette, did indeed showcase a classic colour palette comprising mint greens peaches, pinks, oranges, yellow and midnight blue.
What we saw: Mostly an evening collection complete with gowns, floor length anarkalis and fish cut lehengas with Swarovski, pearl, crystal and dabka embellishments. We loved the mint green number with giant rose embellishments and a rich red ghagra worn with a calf length gold sequined tunic. Classy and contemporary. The show stopping outfit was a green lehenga saree with a black velvet pallu. Classy and contemporary.
Trend alert: The ghagra saree is the new ít’ ethnic wardrobe piece. It’s young yet ethnic. Also, when you want to incorporate a bit of zing in your ethnic look, try fresh flowers. They work beautifully. And remember, lace in any form, looks gorgeous on an outfit.
The tiresome thing about fashion weeks is that you end up seeing the same styles over and over again. So it’s basically a case of ‘same styles, different designer.’
Yet another range of densely embellished anarkalis, lehengas and sarees was upon us at Khushboo Nirmal Chhadwa’s show.
What we saw: Her bridal collection, titled Aariana, featured low back blouses encrusted with Swarovski worn with high glam sarees. A grey saree with thread floral motif stood out, along with the show stopping attire – a velvet navy fish cut lehenga with a gorgeous choli.
Trend alert: If you’ve had enough of the usual anarkalis, try one with a high-low hemline. That would lend it some edge. Also, when it comes to saree blouses, go dangerously low.
Kolkata-based designer Abhishek Dutta’s collection was an ode to the empowerment of women in India. It featured gorgeous sarees in rich fabrics, anarkalis and lehengas.
What we saw: Female models had their foreheads painted in white with a big Bengali-style red bindi. But that’s not where the Bengal influence ended. Men wore the traditional dhoti kurta in earth colours and there was a distinct predominance of red. The pieces that stood out – a pair of ethnic printed palazzo pants with lace trimmings worn with a bikini top and a jacket, a long grey printed cotton jacket paired with a layered net skirt and a Kurta with a train.
Trend alert: Gentlemen, when you get bored of the Sherwani, pick the dhoti for a wedding. Ladies, a pallazo with a bold print oozes boho chic.
Noted designer Rina Dhaka‘s finale collection was inspired by the tribal community of India. It was an ode to the craftsmen of our country. Brass bells hanging from the ceiling, tribal motifs painted on the models’ bodies and a riveting beat set the mood for the show.
What we saw: It started with a gorgeous white and gold story and graduated to beautiful ensembles (Kurtas, dresses) with Kutch embroidery and mirror work. The saree borders also carried the same embroidery giving it an ethereal look. An alluring red bandhni saree, a black bandhni dupatta paired with a flouncy off white cotton skirt and a embroidered kurta paired with sheer churidar stood out.
Trend alert: A little bit of mirror work can do wonders to an outfit. Tribal motifs are really hot this season; so catch the trend before it exits. If you want to go slightly risque with your churidar kurta look, pick a sheer churidar.
