‘Indira Et Amrita’ unravelled by Nikasha

It is rare when one gets inspiration from people with whom they share no possible connection. Very few have the courage to imagine the lifestyle of people from different backgrounds and cultures. Ace designer Nikasha presented her collection titled ‘Indira et Amrita’ at the Lakme Fashion Week W/F 2015 on Saturday. 

Her collection is inspired by two women — Amrita and Indira Shergill, born to a Hungarian Jewish opera singer mother and an Indian Sikh aristocrat scholar father. It is an imaginative interpretation of their lives together.

A fascinating combination of East and West came together in this collection where the designer has woven the characteristics of both Amrita and Indira to create inspiring outfits. The predominant highlights of this collection <g data-gr-id="30">includes</g> Art Deco elements ranging from chic geometrical patterns to vintage lily of the valley, as well as scallops and cherry blossom prints.

Nikasha said, “This collection is an interpretation of the imagined life of the sisters — Indira and Amrita, had they been alive today! I was excited to showcase a visual representation of a whole new way of life — a life of progressive modernity, <g data-gr-id="31">leisure</g> and luxury!!”

Extravagantly detailed elements like fringes and hand-embroidery were brought to life using elegant crystals and pearls. The signature hand embroidered crescent moon typical to the 1920’s, blended beautifully with the collection.

The idea of adding a contemporary twist to vintage styles shone through the line of designs. The Winter/Festive collection is undoubtedly the most desirable collection of the season with flamboyant colors that the designer is known for. 

The dresses were accentuated with elegant <g data-gr-id="29">head pieces</g>, crystal encrusted clutches and other stand-out elements. These finishing touches were completed by Nikasha Pink accessories handcrafted with pearls, feathers, fringes, printed & embroidered fabric.

The imagined lives of two progressive women expressed in the form of fashion  was quite a visual delight to witness. Amrita was a woman way ahead of her times and one of India’s most compelling figures in the 20th Century, while Indira, a quintessentially beautiful woman, was more traditionally rooted and was the sole companion to Amrita’s turbulent and short life. This collection goes to explore the relationship and the dichotomy of their lives together and apart.