A Decade of Couture

As the name suggests, India couture's collection is an amalgamation of the various rituals of an Indian wedding, and the clothes relevant to them. As we delve into the historical references, we also attempt to keep the fact in mind, that the bride is new age, educated, modern and with a mind of her own. Celebrated fashion designers Anamika Khanna and Rohit Bal opened the India Couture Week 2017 in the Capital, organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). The event will showcase work of 14 designers for the 10th anniversary of the couture week.

In Anamika Khanna's collection, 'Happily Ever After', unveiled at Day one of the India Couture Week 2017, was bridal comfort, as paradoxical as it may be. From sequences like 'The Welcome,' which is the customary welcome of the guests in a wedding is usually the first function and is almost a "warming up" to the celebrations. The collection is ethereal and romantic, yet eclectic and experiments with border shapes. The colours remain pastel, ranging from Ivory to washed blues, jades and beautiful pinks. The embellishment ranges from thread work to various techniques of zardozi. The "mehendi" in any wedding is where we bring out colour, craft and tradition in full glory. Enough room to experiment, the silhouettes range from the traditional "Lehenga", the "Sharara", right upto the quintessential "Draped Sari". The colours, the use of bolder, emergence of Mustard, deep Indian Purples, Corals and Reds. The embellishments used are essentially the "gota", "old kinaris", "dori work" and burnished gold and silver work. There may be colour, cut and embellishment in plenty, but there is an elegance that respects heritage and craft at all times.

Actor Arjun Rampal transported fashionistas back to his supermodelling days when he hit the ramp in a black bandhgala and pants with designer Rohit Bal's newly introduced cock motif on the opening day of the India Couture Week (ICW) here.

On the first day of the gala, Bal, known for his intricate designs with lotus and peacock motifs, surprised all with his new patented motif – cock on his show Shahaan-e-Khaas.

The show started with male and female models walking in white coloured voluminous gowns with long jackets, saris and bandhgala with fitted bottoms across rooms of the revamped Bikaner House here on Monday.

The couture pieces, mostly woven into gold and silver threads, then took a colourful turn with outfits in colours like green, maroon and blue. The Swarovski crystals added shine to the opulent range, which was about Mughal era dressing.

One front row guest even shouted: "Thank God for colours." The ruler and cock motif were also appreciated by the fashionistas.

While the first day of the 10th year of ICW ended with Anamika Khanna's installation show and Bal's grand presentation, the gala promises to exhibit more opulent collections from well-known designers in the fashion industry.