Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2019
The biannual fashion fiesta – Lakme Fashion Week, is one of the most grand celebrations of fashion designers and artists in India, integrating global fashion into Indian outfits and redefining the future of the fashion industry. This year was no exception as Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2019 showcased vibrant hues and varying textures to spread its charm across the streets of Mumbai.
The 2019 Summer edition witnessed a wonderful extravaganza of interesting styles, chromatic experiments, thematic vogue and glamorous vibes. From the commencement of the week, fashion fad rose to its maxima with the haute couture collection by Gaurav Gupta. Titled ‘The (Un)folding’, the collection featured modern clubwear to aesthetic lehengas and his signature silhouettes carried his expressive couture along the ramp.
His creativity was brought on stage by the bollywood actress Tabu, who opened the show in an extravagant pewter gown embellished with fine beading and intricate floral details. Successive models portrayed his deep essence of “killing pain with couture” as recited by poet Navkirat Sodhi as he introduced the collection. Between silky embellishments, the show saw highlights of chikankari, a floral ode to Indian fashion. Men’s fashion saw an aisle of blues and greys, concluded by a vibrant red piece modelled by the veteran filmmaker Karan Johar.
Designers like Ajay Kumar Singh, Bobo Calcutta, Helena Bajaj Larsen and Yadvi Agarwal also continued the fashion exhibition with their flamboyant art. While Ajay Kumar Singh’s designs drew inspiration from the Rigveda, Ayushmaan Mitra’s label portrayed minimalist beaded embroidery, high-neck crop tops, saris and overcoats.
Sustainable fashion was a major pivot of the week, under the Circular Design Challenge partnered with the UN Environment and Fashion for Earth. On day two, Anita Dongre showcased her Spring’/Summer’19 collection ‘A Summer Reverie’. Inspired by nature, her sustainable collection featured light hues and floral patterns integrated into casual lehengas, salwar sets and jumpsuits. Celebrities like Yami Gautam, Pooja Hegde and Saiyami Kher sported her creations on the ramp.
To encourage young talent, the Lakme Fashion Week’19 observed the GenNext Collection. The initiative originally started in 2005 gives the opportunity for up and coming designers to showcase their creations. Newcoming designer Amrapali Singh impressed critics by crafting cotton, net, silk and organza into mono prints, patches, gathers and scallops. Meanwhile, GenNext designer Ujjwala Bhadu’s amalgamation of culture and fashion was depicted through her playfully styled knitwear pieces.
Continuing the grandeur, the runway witnessed a host of Bollywood celebrities showcasing various fashion designers and setting the ramp on fire. Anil Kapoor and his niece Janhvi featured in monochrome designs from Raghavendra Rathore’s summer collection while Aditi Rao Hydari exuded elegance and regality wearing Sailesh Singhania. Dressed in a golden zari and silk ensemble, she perfectly portrayed the latest collection ‘Shahaana, A Royal Glory’. The audience was mesmerised by fashion queen Kangana Ranaut who turned heads in true showstopper style in an embellished pink lehenga by Anushree Reddy.
Amongst the celebrities, the beautiful actress Diana Penty showcased designer Mishru’s Reminisce collection, inspired by the city of Hyderabad. She dazzled in an intricately embroidered lehenga portraying a classic-contemporary look and creating the ultimate wow factor.
The extravaganza was brought to an end by designers Shantanu and Nikhil’s ‘Recruit 2019’ collection. They concluded the show on Day 5, with showstopper Kareena Kapoor gracing the runway in a floor length black gown with leather panels and detailing on the bodice.
Classic frills, summer-comfortable palette choices and floral hints were common themes amongst the collections this year. From royal purple to electric blues, earthy green to rustic browns, champagne silver shimmers to deep dark silhouettes, the fashion gala has redefined our outlook on ‘fashion’ and has given us great inspiration for our wardrobes in 2019.
