You felt that vintage vibe as you viewed Rina Dhaka’s Dark Romanticism at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI at Jio World Garden. The beauty of nature and florals combined with hints of sparkle and swirling lines. The intensely textured fabrics revealed a story of clever surface ornamentation. Appliqués appeared with fine line drawing and were outlined with wrinkled motifs.

The textile tale included supple silks, plush velvets and dense laces in rich hues, ideal for dawn-to-dusk glamour. In addition, there was gunmetal, crochet, tulle, silk, Lycra and faux fur that added to the glam quotient.

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The goth colour card had black that was interspersed with cherry blossom red, blazing neon yellow along with grey, burgundy and forest green. Peplums were brought in a contemporary style for rouched asymmetric tailored jackets, fitted Basques, long skirts or the flared ones were for a more flirty, flouncy effect.

Waluscha De Sousa was the showstopper in a black, fitted, panelled, long skirt and tulle choli with glittering embellishments on the bustier, a long tulle train with tiny motifs at the back.

Next in line was Saisha Shinde’s Intertwined collection with criss-cross trellis weave, inspired by the khatam-band wood-carving of Kashmir. The geometrical patterns on wood were cleverly translated onto the garments. The fabrics were faux leather, chiffon, georgette and jacquard.

Intricately hand beaded evening gowns glided down the runway on elegant models, while the short, flirty dresses further added a touch of joi de vivre to the collection. The showstopper was Nehal Chudasama.