Jenjum Gadi didnt need to fly to South Africa or Mexico to get his inspiration, it was right here in the busy streets of the capital where he found the humble gota and he decided to elevate it to new heights. The sparkle of the fabric stayed but Jenjum used it intelligently to spice up the borders of his kaftans, pure white kurta ends shimmered with a touch of purple, but it didnt stop at that—there were gota paneled saris and ingeniously lines on the sides of haldi coloured trousers for men.
Big volume is seeing a small comeback as roomy black pants made many appearances on the catwalk, the last day at WIFW saw Raj Shroff work it in his favour by adding a little extra comfort with drawstrings. Falling cutwork leaves were pasted on dresses as geometric embroidery patterns graced the borders of skirts.
Italy and ikkat, two ends of a design spectrum came together to make a heady combo as Pia Pauro with her coconut groove prints swaying on dresses got you instantly in a holiday mood. And the thigh high slits proclaimed you can be sexy too at your much-awaited vacation. Sequinned kaftans, peek-a-book shoulders, hot pink dresses with ostrich feather ends and yellow sequinned eyes peering out of neon cropped tops made sure you have a colourful life.
Art met fashion at resort wear designers Shivan & Narreshs show with American artist Barnett Newmans abstract paintings finding their way onto bodycon dresses and the innovative bikini saris. The winner was Achilles, a colour blocked dress with its fiery red base that reminded you of ripe cherries.
It was a day which forced you to pack your bags and think about the deep blue sea as Rajdeep Ranawats tunics with the sun, sea and rocks with a sea facing home prints warmed the heart. Gardens of blooming flowers on maxis and floral jumpsuits along with cutwork bougainvillea on saris sealed the deal.
With politician Amar Singh on the front row with his entourage, Sulakashana Monga paraded shaded maxis worn with lace inners, with patchwork used extensively to create structure.
While Hemant and Nandita filled a white canvas of shift dresses and peplum tops with roses and tulips. On the other hand, Joy Mitra went back in time to resurrect the beauty of layering with net as maxis touched the floor, and the winning combo of red and gold was endearing much like the his monochromes. The black jumpsuit with hints of embroidery on the yoke and pockets was well executed and the motifs on transparent churi sleeves set the ball rolling.
Petite and fun, Nida Mahmood always manages to bring a smile to your face with her quirky sense of style, her shows are unadulterated amusement. This time it was Sapna cinema with 70s Bollywood films and dialogues taking you down memory lane, with little hearts strewn carelessly on kaftans, trousers and even the irreverent choli blouses that reminded you of Madhuri Dixit and her dhak-dhak days. Kitschy in many ways, Nida didnt forget her sari with jeans and fluorescent cutwork flowers revving up her short dresses.
It was heartening to see handloom silk, chanderi, tussar, silk muslin and moonga silk take centerstage at the boys from Gandhinagar Ashish and Vikrant of the label Virtues show. Indian crafts need a fitting representation, it was a concerted effort to use chikankari and cross stitch, said Vikrant.
The star of the day was finale designer and veteran Ritu Kumar who let son Amrish shimmer in the archlights with his dark glasses and sassy moves, while she took the final bow with Bollywoods new sweetheart Esha Gupta. The monochrome prints and little feathers on the bodice livened the warm yellow dresses as yesteryear model Simmar Duggal added nostalgia to the ramp with her wasp thin waist giving tough competition to young guns. Embroidered belts cinched the waists of maxis and swirl prints added movement to crepes and chiffons. It was a luxurious end to a 5-day extravaganza.