Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015 opened with trend setting collections by Kunal Anil Tanna, Mandira Bedi and Aartivijay Gupta

She has always created amazing prints whether it was doodles, legendary Indian heroes or French couture images. For Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015 Aartivijay Gupta brought a colourful dimension to her creations with “My World of Glass” inspired by mosaic.

Her story of mosaic art revolved around nature with images of parrots, fish, birds, houses, trees and peacocks prancing on her basic silhouettes in all their vibrant finery. Bringing in a touch of Moroccan mosaic tea glasses with teal and gold art, Aarti used it for her soft organza ensembles.

To match the beauty of her inspiration, Aarti’s silhouettes were quaint. Garments were shaped like porcelain jars, rectangular wall hangings, cylindrical bottles or just lean and long shapes.

The designer showcased five key looks that were utterly feminine with stylish mass appeal. The sheath dress emblazoned with a parrot mosaic, skirt and Tee, cape tops with pencil skirts, cute ‘A’ line dresses and the glamorous glass organza maxi with gold nakshi work.

A combination of silk and glass organza was a constant for the collection as the sheer fragile fabric either covered the dresses or peeped cutely from under the hemlines. The printed pencil skirt looked sleek with a pure white blouse; while the long sleeve top and matching pants were a colourful addition. A long coat with an organza skirt/dress, bustier with pencil skirt, shorts matched with peplum jacket and a maxi with bird mosaic added to the look. Sack dresses had organza insets, and the empire line dress with a sheer fabric for the skirt was a feminine addition.

The solitary men’s wear entry further established the mood of the show with a sharply cut jacket and Bermudas with a floral print.

Each garment was an eye-catcher, which made Aartivijay Gupta’s “My World of Glass” a collection that every trend setter would want to be part of.

KUNAL ANIL TANNA’S MEN’S WEAR WAS INSPIRED BY JAPANESE CULTURE AT LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK SUMMER/RESORT 2015

Bringing a Japanese flavour to men’s and women’s wear Kunal Anil Tanna’s “Ume Matsuri” (plum blossoms) collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015 was like a breath of fresh summer breeze.

Based on traditional Japanese festivals when the plum and cherry blossoms come to life, Kunal used the techniques from that country for the tie and dye effects, which featured Hajime, Arasi Kumo etc. for airy summer voiles and textured cottons.

The silhouettes followed the Japanese inspirations for men’s wear as Kimono wrap tunics and pleated Hakkama pants revealed a comfy relaxed line. Detailing started with ornamentation by Kanzashi – the Japanese way of making fabric flowers for lapel pins, brooches, and boutonnieres etc.

Couching and mesh textures appeared regularly with wrap around belts replacing the Obe. Trousers were ankle length with double pleats on the hem, while a waist coat kurta with pleated ankle pants, collarless jacket, and fake waistcoat-shirt, double layered jacket, were interesting innovations.

Kimono overlaps gave tunics a dashing appearance; while wooden buttons were constant through the collection. The laser cut layered, quilting and pocket detailing were high points of the collection. Extended fold over lapels; graded Hajime touches, calf length gathered or box pleated Hakkama pants and cuff detailing completed the look.

For the women’s wear it was the bell sleeves top with sumo skirt, draped kurta in chiffon and silk, the high waist wide pants and blouse, maroon kimono top with pants, jumpsuit in net/silk and the pleated comfy wide pants teamed with a cropped bell sleeves top, followed the theme perfectly.

The colours matched the mood with plum, burgundy, and grape, teamed with shades of beige and soft blue.

For his show stopper, Kunal selected the very talented Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao who strutted down wearing a suit in varying shades and textures of maroon.

A Japanese touch in the male and female wardrobe could be just the right look during Summer/Resort 2015 from Kunal Anil Tanna’s “Ume Matsuri” collection.

MANDIRA BEDI’S FANTASY SARI COLLECTION DAZZLED AT LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK SUMMER/RESORT 2015

Popular Bollywood actress and television star, Mandira Bedi added her distinct sartorial touches to India’s traditional 6-yard wonder at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015.

Women who long for those statement-making saris need not look further, since Mandira’s impeccable tastes will turn them into style icons when they make a glamorous entry in her creations. Merging tradition with some innovative embellishments and classic additions, Mandira turned each sari into a conversation piece.

Zeroing on the Banaras sari – the India’s finest, woven in Varanasi, Mandira fused the ancient weaves with modern designs and showcased a line of New Age Banaras beauties.

Creating magic with the gold, silver, zari and brocade, which was intricately interwoven, Mandira added her opulent touches to the saris turning them into visions of beauty that will be desired by every Indian bride.

Opening the show with a white and pink border, silk sari with a giant flower appliqué on the pallav, Mandira offered more options with large florals on the pallav, as the mainstay of the section.

What followed were saris with luxurious gold, yellow, pink, magenta, orange assorted silk and brocade borders that appeared horizontally on the sari. Two toned versions with solid and brocade mix were another alternative. Multi borders appeared on net, while the tulle segment looked glamorous with varying appliqué options.

Stopping the show was the very elegant Shabana Azmi wearing a glittering red silk sari with a turquoise blouse. As she glided over the ramp it was husband Javed Akhtar’s voice that recited some couplets from a poem.

When women want to bring Indian tradition into their wardrobes, Mandira Bedi’s light affordable chic Banaras saris with her distinct creative touches will be the cynosure of all eyes.