Folks, do not say I didn't warn you about how big this post is. I am kind of already delayed in writing about things we love at WIFW -- but it is never too late to showcase fabulous fashion. And keeping the mood precisely fab, I would love pointing out Samant Chauhan's collection first.
I am always interested in literally (mentally) dissecting collections by designers who stick to working within a light-coloured palette. Let us not think about the spring-summer factor of it -- I beleive it is risque, that is making it work. It is done to death, what with Rohit Bal, TT and Anamika Khanna showcasing lights to their best advantage. Still Samant's collection made me feel 'pleasant'. The nudes with peeping-reds, and dull-gold embellishments might not seem to be spectacular at the first look. Yet once you absorb in the details, it sinks in that the combinations are working beautifully. And being a big advocate of green fashion, I have nothing to complain about here. Minimal and classy with silhouettes ranging from gowns to separate!
Next up is label Pero by Aneeth Arora. I remember attending her first ever fashion week showcase back in the days and thinking that "is she for real (in a good sense)"! I mean I never could have thought that traditional weaves and texturing, and multiple-layering could enthuse casual, easy, and chic vibes -- that too all at the same time, and look so darn good. Now that style has indeed become Arora's signature. The very talented designer proves that Indian techniques can actually transcend into ensembles that need not necessarily incorporate touches of fusion.
For WIFW SS 2014, she also struck to a light palette, with some outfits incorporating black as well. And dashes of English florals and polka dots lent an uber feminine touch on the runway. A first look suggested easy construction, but these garments were all hand-stitched with non-OTT, painstakingly created traditional surface ornamentation from Andhra, Gujarat, et cetera.
Fresh, non-fitted silhouettes dictated the dresses, with sheer-play and delicate upper bodices.
Separates incorporated checks that Arora has always favoured, alongside crushed fabrics that I frankly never thought can work. However, she makes it happen. All in all, here was a show that was a pure dose of fashion coupled with a deep thought presence, with an end result that can't help but make me a huge fan girl of Aneeth Arora.
I also loved the collection from label Virtues by Viral, Ashish and Vikrant. That lehenga shown in the first picture below caught my fancy the most. You know I love my bling, yet this particular number has oodles of impact minus it! Ink blue-dominated, the ensembles were an easy mix of Western and Indian aesthetics, and very very sexy.
I loved how the styling with headscarfs were a tad Islamic, a tad sixties, and superbly sophisticated. When I look at shows for my research, the way ensembles are presented really tends to leave an impact on me. This is the reason why I always take a note of the details -- the shoes, the hair, the beauty looks. And charming the details were in this show, even if nothing extra-ordinary.
These ensembles below brought back reminiscences of the nineties in me -- the halter necks, the sheer-bra layered combo, the ruffled hems.
I am sorry about not getting a closer look at the ensems by skipping out on this show. But just like how I have said in numerous posts before, fuss-free always had a thumbs up from me. Until later darlings!
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