Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI 2023: INIFD’s fusion fashion to Khadi India Show’s good’ol weave, sartorial highlights from sustainable Day 1 of the soiree!

By Malvika Mistry

on March 10, 2023 04:24:46 PM

The much-awaited sartorial soiree Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI has begun and we cannot keep calm. Starting the show on a sustainable note, here’s what went down on the runway:

INIFD LAUNCHPAD SHOW

This season the INIFD Launchpad show at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, was a celebration of a Design Festival with the theme – “East Meets West”. Five winners from the various branches of INIFD in India unveiled amazing collections comprising six outfits each that followed the theme of the show. A great line of street and resort wear made a grand entry on the ramp, while formal and lounge wear also dazzled on the runway with inspirations that were sourced from around the world and were perfectly amalgamated with Indian looks. There was a kaleidoscope of art, textiles, craft, paintings, and silhouettes that showcased a stylish fashion story to the audience. The show was stopped with great style and flair by the vivacious Neha Dhupia, who looked stunning in a white, swirling, full-flared, multi-tiered maxi with long, lantern sleeves and an impressive ornate Obi belt to complete the look.

GENNEXT

The 35^th edition of the coveted line-up of four unique winners at the ‘INIFD presents GenNext’ show at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI was a dazzling display of fresh creative talent.

RUDRAKSH DWIVEDI – MIDNIGHT GLAMOUR

Working around an ink black palette, Rudraksh opted for four-inch metallic trims that were creatively matted onto tulle and then finished by using hand and machine work. The label’s signature chrome line work was further enhanced with black, layered tulle and crochet mesh. The collection moved on a dazzling path from wide pants with a matching cropped top, to a sleek, long-sleeved, plunging neckline ombré mini and then onto a lacey vision. A hint of the Roaring 20’s was seen in the black strappy fringed midi, while the imposing floor sweeping cape made a regal entry.

ANUGRAH CHANDRA – PASSION FOR FASHION

Anugrah’s collection titled “Coalescence” was a dazzling amalgamation of techniques, hues, and relaxed silhouettes. The fabric choice started with heavy cotton silk, mushroom twill, poplin, cotton, and chiffon that were brought to life with colours, which were a coppice in shades of red, brown, green, and dusty blue, which presented the fluid look of forest leaves and fine wood lines. For women, the flared palazzos worn with matching corset blouse and topped with a relaxed shirt offered a mix and match trio. For men’s wear, the belted, wide, lapelled, long coat over matching trousers and shirt, brought immense color and style into the male wardrobe. The HIS and HER striped wide trousers and floral shirts gave a great twinning option to a couple’s fashion selection.

KUNAAL KYHAAN – REGAL DESI NOSTALGIA

Kunaal’s collection “Maharaja by the Bay” was all about silhouettes that flowed freely around the body and could move effortlessly from dawn to dusk. The fabric selection moved stylishly from satin cotton, crepe, pure/raw silk, buttery modal satins, and soft viscose blends along with hints of leather. To highlight his creations, there was a variety of detailing from cane weave to jewel embellishments, appliqués, prints, crochet weaving and Bandhani. The motifs were inspired by historic art mural, miniatures, and iconic photography from Indian monarchs’ collection.

HIRAL JAJAL – DENIMAGIC

Hiral’s theme was the “Dystopian Bride” with neon shades of yellow and green as the star hues, as the designer worked with extreme denim manipulation and presented an unconventional fashion story Oversized, baggy drawstring denim parkas were embossed with the shredded ‘HIRO’ logo on the rear, while multiple pockets added a touch of utility, and the trailing drawstrings made a relaxed fashion statement.

THE KHADI SHOW

To honour and celebrate India’s Fabric of Freedom, Khadi India presented a showcase dedicated to Khadi. The multi-designer runway showcased a collection by Khadi India, and Khadi collections by Divyam Mehta, Suket Dhir and Shruti Sancheti aimed to bring the beauty and glory of Khadi to centre stage.

KHADI INDIA COLLECTION - A NEW KHADI NARRATIVE

There was an exciting new narrative for Khadi by the design team of Khadi India. When it came to the 6-yard wonder – the famous Indian drape – it was the grand traditional folk art of Gond, Madhubani and Picchwai paintings that were seen on the luxe saris. For the apparel line, which was aimed at the global buyer, there was a variety of Khadi showcased with great aplomb. The luxurious wool Khadi from Bikaner looked regal and resplendent on the runway for some creatively designed garments. There was the cool cotton from Kanpur that was turned into practical, stylish ensembles, while the muslin from Murshidabad and the Eri silk from Assam formed the ideal base for the cleverly visualised garments.

DIVYAM MEHTA – A RAW KHADI STORY

Divyam Mehta’s “Kacho” (Raw) Khadi collection was a visual collage that amalgamated rural Rabari wall patterns with dots that were laid out in geometrical forms. The collection showcased a quiet colour palette comprising slate, fossil, grey and indigo that highlighted the raw textures of the denim and cotton khadi. The interesting aspects were the stark stitches that were visible on tailored jackets, trousers, odhanis and interesting cocoon like drapes. Looking very stylish and dapper, Bollywood heart throb, Vijay Verma closed the Divyam Mehta show in an intricately embellished, navy co-ord set, comprising an innovatively designed bundgala jacket, slashed with diagonal insets, two concealed front pockets and teamed with matching comfy trousers.

SUKET DHIR - TRIBUTE TO NATURE

Suket Dhir’s “Spring Forest” collection for men imagined Khadi in a new avatar as images of animals amongst lush foliage were presented in a contemporary format. Khadi was presented as summer and winter garments in muted hues and dreamt up in cotton and cotton silks. The weaves were in different counts that offered plain twill as well as jamdani that was printed in refreshing colours.

The garments embellished with kantha, had clever detailing, trims and displayed great, luxurious, satin, silk lining. Sharply cut and very well constructed, the men’s wear options in Khadi from the “Spring Forest” line by Suket Dhir gave a variety to choose from.

SHRUTI SANCHETI - UNDERSTATED OPULENCE

For Shruti Sancheti, Khadi was not just a cloth when she designed her collection “Khadder.” Creating a line of timeless clothing from Khadi, Shruti selected cotton and silk Khadi woven in small clusters of Vidarbha and brought in geometric motifs that featured stripes and checks. The colour palette was devoted to indigo, rust, maroon and beige that featured soft and earthy tones to match the textures of the fabric. The wide array of comfortable duster jackets, perky boleros, practical co-ord sets, long layer-friendly dresses, some cool kurtas and bundies offered both Indian and western style directions. Showstopper, Rakul Preet Singh, looked absolutely stunning in a four-piece navy/grey creation comprising a pair of perky shorts, panelled, slit, maxi skirt, intricately embroidered bralette and a long, luxuriously, embellished, floor-sweeping robe that had eye-catching lining

What an absolute banger of a day! Can’t wait to see what Day 2 unfolds

(Source-Lakme Fashion Week)