Pearl Academy is the harbinger of fashion revolution with a futuristic outlook. The finale of FDCI Amazon India Fashion Week, 2018, became more exuberant with the creations of graduating students of Pearl Academy under the theme of ‘Future of Fashion’, presenting it as a day long ‘Pearl Academy Portfolio 2018’ fashion show series. They put up a set of 5 impressive shows. We enjoyed Show 1 which had highly appealing themes such as Indie – Fused, Azure Fantasy, Soul Fit, Textile Assemblage, Neutral Block, Lavender Mint, Blocks Divided, Prarie Tangerine, Femme Regale, Noir League, L’ Blanche, Dusk Strut and Bijoux by Jewellery Design students of Pearl Academy, Jaipur. Show 2 had an interesting range of themes and concepts such as, Summer Kaleidoscope, Welsh Summer, Yuppy Strut, Sci-Fi Street, Turmeric Tales, Vandalists, Aqua-Rouge, Rusted, Occult Force, Print & Patch and Tourmaline among others. The final year students of Fashion styling and Image Design showcased a highly thought out collection that combined the need for fashion sustainability with preservation of traditional Indian craft without compromising with the ever advancing fashion trends. The students are sensitive to both fashion culture and the power of fashion as a driver of social change. They conceptualized ‘Fashion as a voice for Social Activism’ by pairing it up with an elegant ‘Black Swan’ ballet performance. The young designers showed their prowess by creating exquisite costumes to convey body-positivity movements and gender aesthetics through it. Rajul Goldar brought our attention to environment-friendly fabrics that do not involve shedding of trees. He is spearheading a movement to bring about the face of forests on ramp along with promoting the use of non-cellulosic fabrics. The collection by Pallavi Yadav had a story of deconstructing of the garment and decorating it with zero-water embellishments. A luxrious collection – Tawaif – drew …
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If we have to describe this collection in a sentence, then that’d be ‘Obsession with Animatic Embroidery’. Because we were head over heels as the models walked the runway for Rimple and Harpreet Couture 2016 collection that they showcased at the FDCI India Couture Week 2016. Their was something about the embroidery designs that spoke volumes about various regions that were incorporated into the theme of this collection. True to its name –Hiraeth by Rimple & Harpreet Narula, puts the audience in a nostalgic trance at the India Couture Week today. Bespoke remnants, drawn out of fond memories, are brought to life on the runway against a warm backdrop created by the lush drapes of antique textiles. The mood slips into somber melancholy with Punjabi poetry of Amrita Pritam fused with music. The travelogue comes to life with a riot of motifs inspired by the visual delights from the flea markets of the world. The audience’s mystical journey moves through quaint locations from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Samarkand, Bagnoregio, Palampore, Baluchistan with ancient relics of birds, beasts, paisleys, trellises and cartouches expressed through the embroidered motifs. Each ensemble had a story of its own to tell. Uniquely designed in luxurious drape of vintage textile in ethereal hues ranging from ivory, gold, marsala, midnight blue come together to make magic on the runway. Adding grandeur to the outfits, regal cloaks, dramatic jackets and sheer robes enhanced the classic silhouettes. Hiraeth, a collection that spelled couture royalty, found its crowning glory in the Minar lehenga worn by the talented Yami Gautam. The Minar lehenga features stunning hand embroidered motifs derived from a Mughal monument lit up under a star-spangled midnight sky. Inspired by a Mughal monument that Harpreet stumbled upon during his recent visit to Benares, the showstopper lehenga boasts of tall, strong embroidery …
Continue readingDesigner Reynu Taandon is known for keeping up with the traditional values of Indian wedding culture. Not only does she balance the heirloom silhouettes of bridal trousseau, but her colour palette too circulates around the hues of Red, Orange and Pink. Reynu Taandon Couture 2016 collection showcased at the FDCI India Couture Week 2016 was no guessing game either. Although, her experimentation with the modern Dhoti pants style and the lehenga with long kurtis did speak about the 2016 approach towards the Indian bridal culture. Reynu Taandon titled her collection ‘KAMANGARI’ in association with SUNAR Jewels. Actress Divya Khosla Kumar walked as the show stopper for the show. ‘KAMANGARI ‘is inspired from the beauty & grandeur of Rajasthan. Fashion changes with every seasonal breeze but traditional clothing has come to a point where it is tagged as vintage. Evoking a spirit of royalty in every seam and stitch,Reynu’s collection is for the ‘new-age’ bride – a girl that redefines the conventional bridal fashion with all that is modern along with an imperial twist! Every silhouette reflects Rajasthan’s ethnic heritage – ranging from meticulously handcrafted foil printing to usage of block prints on vibrant Chanderi fabrics. To put it differently, the cuts, colors, fabric and crafts of this collection recreate Rajasthan on a vivid palette. Swirling lehengas, dramatic backs and extravagant anarkalis, are the pieces de resistance of this collection and each of them bespeaks of royalty. A couture collection that is a perfect fit for the modern bride who not only wishes to retain her originality but also reflect the intensity of emotions through the silhouettes she dons. A breathtaking sight when it comes to interplay of various kinds of embroideries cemented with appliqué detailing.For Reynu Taandon, ‘KAMANGARI ‘is all about redefining the traditional bride while taking a leap into …
Continue readingAnita Dongre presents ‘Epic Love’ couture collection at the FDCI India Couture Week 2016. The show opens to a plush garden of a Rajasthan palace, recreated on the runway. Gaurav Raina’s melodious blend of Indian classical and folk with electronic music ‘Indian Electronica’ sets the mood for the evening. The distinct signature scent of all Anita Dongre stores, with notes of jasmine and rose, announces the unveiling of the Epic Love – the bridal couture collection that marks her debut at the India Couture Week. The sheer grandeur of the architectured set with the playfull jhulla, pink bougainvillea, water fountain, the famed hand done thikri craft transport the audience into a luxurious Rajasthan palace garden.Adorned in heirloom-like pieces from Anita Dongre’s jadau jewellery label Pinkcity and antique silver pieces from the Anita Dongre label add to the folkish charm of the show. Stunning maang-tikas, large nose rings, intricate haath phools, chunky chokers and necklaces ornate the outfits. Epic Love opens on a free-spirited, lighter note with chintz-inspired printed lehengas that are teamed with Bohemian blouses. The designer’s signature gotapatti work breathes life onto the prints. The classic Indian styles blend seamlessly with contemporary long, column tabards which give the wearer a beautiful illusion of height. The lean, sleek silhouettes bring modern relevance into bridal couture. The beauty of this collection lies in its versatility – the Bohemian gypsy tops can be paired with a printed lehenga just as beautifully as it would go with a pair of silk pants. Fringe-finished sarees with tie-up tops that wrap around the drape add a contemporary twist to the classic saree. Moving gradually on to a regal palette, jewel-toned solids in rich wine, orange and the classic reds, creams and golds take centre stage. Gotapatti work is seen across the collection – first on …
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