For the sheer love of fashion and travel

'Once upon a Time in Aqua' – summer festive fashion presentation depicting designer Pranay Baidya's love for fashion and travel, was held in Kolkata on February 13.

The showcase was organised in association with The Park, in the presence of eminent personalities like Tiffany Anderson, Chinni Dragon, Diana Trellor, Corina Poppa, Alexey Idamkin, Fabrice Placon, Jürgen Thomas, Micheal Fiener, Carmen Espinoza, Venus Asawapoom, Dhruv Bhalla, Pradeep Khemka, Nayantara Pal Chowdhury, Nilanjana and Srinjoy Bose, Nilufer Archmant, Shaheb Bhattacherjee, and Koneenica Banshyopadhayay.

"My wanderlust and gypsy-soul has always inspired the fashion I craft," said Pranay while speaking on the occasion.

In keeping with iconic love stories, the presentation was divided into three dedicated chapters. First one titled 'From Bankura to Sicily' had textiles which were lovingly hand printed by skilled artisans offering an alternative to mass produced fast fashion. Also, it aimed at keeping alive the dying art of hand block and silk screen printing in this age of digital printing.

The capsule collection featured a bohemian mix of shirt dresses, ruffled maxi dresses and tunics in Sicilian hues of pistachio green, blossom pink, lemon yellow, grotto blue, coral red and marsala.

'Wanderlust' Mens Celebration wear – A range of contemporary ethnic-wear separates celebrating equal love, and the belief that in the end love always wins. "The idea is to curate a collection which is impactful yet easy to wear and sparks a dialogue," mentioned the designer.

'Inspired by India' – Womens and Men's Celebration wear was the third chapter showcasing artisanal printmaking on the lehengas, skirts, sarees and menswear, inspired by mughal miniatures and their exquisite filigree architecture.

The showstoppers, Mrs India International Richa Sharma dazzled in an intricately embroidered nude peach Mughal garden inspired organza Lehenga and Amrapali Jewels. Ace directors Nandita Roy was a vision of elegance in a tussar-georgette Benarasi Saree with intricate Pasha motifs woven in Antique gold thread, and Shiboprasad Mukherjee in a Royal Blue Chanderi embroidered kurta ensemble stole all the limelight.

The evening witnessed Aqua at The Park transformed into a multilevel destination with models sashaying up to the glass facades encompassing the poolside, brilliantly curated by choreographer and makeup artist Rajat - Kaushik.