Two successful decades in fashion is a great achievement for any designer and Payal Singhal has not only carved a niche for herself in the country but also got a loyal following around the globe.

Her celebratory collection called Gypsies and Bohemia at Lakmé Fashion Week chalked out her DNA and inspirations perfectly.

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Creating a bohemian Turkish and Moroccan bazaar set on the ramp with Turkish carpets hung above and the mosaic patterned ramp below, the show opened with colours, zest and loads of feisty flavour. Drawing her creative ideas from folklore especially the Islamic architecture and the colours of bazaars in Turkey and Morocco as well as the 10th-century gypsy vagabonds; the total mood of the collection was for the free-spirited millennial wanderers. Her fabrics have always told a rich story with georgette, bits of velvet and organza; while the colours have been adventurous.

From neutral white and ecru, the palette moved to periwinkle blue, pale rose and pops of neon with black.

The Gypsies and Bohemia collection was a grand study in embellishments, cutwork jaalis, leather embroidery, frayed tassels, which were the leitmotif of the collection; appliqués, patchwork, pom-poms and 3D textures formed the highlights on the garments. Payal’s signature prints came in the form of hand-painted blossoms and ikat.

Catering to an international clientele who loves indie sensibilities, Payal offered jacket-cholis, lehenga-salwars, bomber jackets and deconstructed blazers along with her famed drop-crotch pants, cropped skirts, saris and coordinated sets.

Creating a fashionable impact were the panelled, tasselled skirt/blouse duo, sheer skirt over slim printed pants, kaftans, flared blouse with bell-sleeves, the black long-sleeved, transparent, lean tube over skinny trousers with a bralette and the tasselled blouse/bustier. The solitary sari too had a bohemian flavour with its tasselled edges. Cropped pants and the embroidered hip length, drop waist kurtas, jumpsuit with side tassels, mini coat dress with intense embellishments and the extreme textured, long skirts in ombré and multi-coloured ruffles were stunners. To complete the Gypsies and Bohemia look Payal added totes, fanny packs, belt bags and wristlets.

Payal’s men’s wear matched the theme as printed kurtas - some with side drawstrings - bundies, skinny trousers and churidars added to the look of the collection.

Selecting her showstoppers carefully to match the theme of the show, there was glamorous, bohemia with a gypsy touch when Payal brought Bollywood’s favourite couple, Shibani Dandekar and her beau the very handsome Farhan Akhtar. The pair looked ultra-stylish in coordinated ecru creations. The ensembles were splashed with exciting neon wool, floral zardosi work as Shibani and Farhan strutted down the catwalk in perfect unison.

Payal Singhal’s celebratory 20th-anniversary collection had strong versatile vibes that emphasised the profile of the range, which will move effortlessly from Indian soirées to international Red-Carpet nights or destination weddings.

(Source-Viral Bhayani)