THE HARPER’S BAZAAR TEXTILE SHOW PRESENTED EIGHT MULMUL COLLECTIONS BY TOP DESIGNERS AT LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK SUMMER/RESORT 2015

Giving impetus to its new initiative “Bazaar Inspires”, by Harper’s Bazaar, the globally renowned fashion magazine presented eight designers’ collections created from Mulmul as the focal point during Indian Handlooms and Textile Day at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015.

“Bazaar Inspires” is an annual project that aims at spreading awareness about Indian textiles, and the beautiful favourite of all – Mulmul – was the chosen one this season. Eight Indian evening wear designers were challenged to turn the humble fabric into stunning formal wear creations. Each designer presented four glamorous evening ensembles and turned Mulmul into a Red Carpet eye-catcher.

ANAND BHUSHAN

Known for his ultimate fabric texturing and innovations in manipulation, Anand Bhushan’s all white collection simply called “Mulmul” turned the favourite Indian textile into an urban offering with contemporary treatment. Blending it with glass, Anand formed varying houndstooth patterns on the garments to add a distinct flavour. Splashing the creations with cutwork in drapes, soft feminine constructions, comfy fitted options for silhouettes that offered excellent construction, Anand presented a sleek line. A drop waist dress, Jodhpur pants, shirt worn with beaded jacket, a belted long sleeve shirt-waist dress and sari in solid and cutwork fabrics, sparkled with beads. The mature Indian woman will adore Anand Bhushan’s reinterpreted style for Mulmul when she chooses it for formal soirées.

SIDDHARTHA TYTLER

Inspired by the word ‘Chaos’, Siddhartha Tytler’s Mulmul looks were a quartet of glamorous creations. Random black and white digital prints sparkled on the garments. The soft traditional Mulmul went through some texturing from Siddhartha as he added quilting, his signature pin tucking, crystallising and laser cutting to give a contemporary flavour to the creations. The quilted gown, will-power bustier and tulip quilted skirt, silver embroidered quilted skirt over a cutwork top with black palazzos told a different Mulmul story. Structured silhouettes were bold yet rigid, making the ensembles ideal for the trendy buyer who adores some experimental dressing.

SAILEX

Sailex known for his grand Red Carpet creations gave the traditional Mulmul his signature treatment turning it into glam evening wear possibilities. Adding seductive black embroidery, which has been Sailex’s trademark; the four creations that glided down the ramp had a marked structured look with great flare that gave India’s favourite fabric a new fashionable avatar. Black net and mul sheer gown, a plunge neck gown with sheer back, bralet with a midi pencil skirt and a plunge neck tail-coat jacket with sheer sided pant, was an all black fantasy.

HEMANT AND NANDITA

Inspired by the land which is known as the Paradise of India – Kashmir – Hemant and Nandita turned the simple Mulmul into a fashion fabric with surface ornamention. Called ‘Blooming Woods’ the four garments had unconventional embroidery and brought in the 70’s look with digital touches for gore skirts, kotis or waistcoats, embroidered cropped tops, jackets, boho capes and dresses. The printed long sleeve mini, flared skirt with bell-sleeved cropped top, tiered mini with bolero, shorts and tank with a cover were great creations in Mulmul. Earth tones of brown, dull grey and deep green were highlighted by sea green and tangerine. Flowers, which were the key feature of the line, exuded a blossoming aura around the line.

ANUPAMAA DAYAL

Making a complete surprise fashion detour from her usual comfort zone of resort and cruise line where she is an expert; Anupamaa Dayal went down the Red Carpet with her “Angelina Jolie” collection. The designer gave Mulmul her favourite summer fabric; a glitzy, glam treatment and turned the cool textile into fitted sexy gowns. Shades of seductive red, black, sizzling pink, neon yellow, and lemon were ideal choices for the slinky floral off-shoulder floor kissing number with large bow. The yellow/blue print gown, floral black halter and one-shoulder pink printed number were part of the sexy line. Detailing was with tantalising frills, cascading ruffles, gorgeous floral embellishments like a single fluffy chrysanthemum, plunging necklines and sweeping trails.

RABANI AND RAKHA

Rabani and Rakha, the very creative pair turned the soft Mulmul into glamorous silhouettes – a sensuous gown, a striking lehenga sari and a sexy lace body suit with luxurious Mulmul drapes. The colour choice was shades of peach to add that stylish fashion quotient to the garments. The tiered peach lehenga would serve as ideal formal wear with dupatta and choli. A lush red sari with gold border and tights, red one-shoulder gown splashed with gold paisley border and the final peach layered lehenga, choli and dupatta were glamorous festive wear.  Feminine and very sexy the creations were ideal for that impressive entry on any global style carpet.

DEV r NIL

Inspired by the falling autumn leaves with their earthy tones, the capsule collection of four outfits by Dev r Nil recreated nature’s beauty for the garments. Gauze work, appliqués and cutwork added to the beauty of the ensembles; while the changing shades of the leaves appeared as ikat borders and stripes to highlight the hand woven Mulmul. Skirt with falling leaves appliqué worn with asymmetric top, autumn leaves on black printed bodice teamed with red/black shaded pant, striped red/black giant poncho and the striped maxi with floral sheer detailing were stunners. Red in monochrome was the preferred colour for the fluid silhouettes that flowed from the constructed bodices giving the outfits an almost ethereal look.

RAAKESH AGARVWAL

Aimed at the boho chic young woman – a global traveller who is at home in Brazil, Miami, Mexico, Venezuela, or the South of France, Raakesh Agarvwal’s four ensembles had a glam international flavour. Using Mulmul in colours like sunset yellow, saffron and tangerine – all hot summer hues – he gave a contemporary relaxed vibe to the garments. A great slouchy jumpsuit had all the signs of summer comfort, while the tangerine will-power dress was an eye-catcher on the ramp. The two sexy panelled gowns completed the foursome, which any girl would love to grab for her fun holiday.