Mirror work, to mokaish, shimmer has always been the highlight of Suneet Varma’s oeuvre, even as the designer, who was trained by Yves Saint Laurent announces, there is nothing better than being in the spotlight on your D-Day at ICW 2024!
By Asmita Aggarwal
What I really look forward to in a Suneet Varma show is his jig at the end of the showcasing—and let me tell you he has the moves! Suneet likes constantssexy, shine, glamour, and decade-old friendships.
When we talk of shimmer, there is no one who can light up like Suneet—a tree stood in the middle of the runway, and the show began with Urdu poetry, thus the title Nazm for the Hyundai ICW 2024. Few know that Suneets mom, Indira is an avid lover of Urdu shayari, and they both bond over classic Hindi numbers. Over the years she has offered him unflinching support!
From the 60s Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, and a song by Kishore Kumar….Sama hai Suhana Suneet gave us a taste of vintage Bollywood with a dash of gold through his pre-stitched sari-gowns. Pearls were strung together to form blouses, cutwork flowers, rested on nimble shoulders, he used various techniques in the library of sparklemokaish to mirror work.
Now that old is really gold— and Zeenat Aman is everyones It girl it was only apt to pay a tribute to her hipster pants era and strumming a guitar, in Chura liya hain tumne jo dil ko in the inimitable voice of Asha Bhonsle and Rafi saheb. There is undoubtedly no one as fashion-forward as Zeenat, thus models came armed with pixelated sequinned saris in white.
Interestingly, he had socialite Shalini Passi almost dressed as a Barbie, only ruffled, in a sari. Bollywood chart-toppers kept the rhythm divine, from Aao na gale lago na, conjuring up images of Helen moving like a dream with heartthrob Rajesh Khanna, serendipitously also dressed in pink and gold!
Faux feathers, bare backs channelled sexy, as the ramp was overtaken by mirror work, gotta borders, as if we had entered a house of illusionthrough tiny mirrors. The veil is enjoying its moment in the spotlight, and the Suneets fully beaded bustiers, and draped saris, reminding you of the ones that yesteryear actress Mumtaz wore, made vintage appealing.
Palazzos offered ease, with tunics cut away from the body, as draped dhotis in ash grey, were worn with flared sleeve blouses. Sequinned sheaths, asymmetrical tunics teamed up with shararas, even if you switched off the lights, the garments will shine unabashedly. Surface ornamentation was Suneets way of welcoming a bride, who wanted to make sure she was the highlight of her D-Day!