The stage was set when Anamika Khanna opened the show with AK-OK, a collection that was much talked about for its ace styling, with standout elements such as silver collars, stacking, and other metallic embellishments. Lakme Fashion Week completed 25 years in the Indian Fashion Industry, being a platform for some major moments in Indian fashion.
Speaking at the event, Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, shared, “25 years was a milestone, and for FDCI, this wouldn’t have been possible without our co-travelers, Lakmē and Reliance Brands Limited. In this eventful and design-soaked journey, one thing was clear, the growth of fashion over the years. This year the celebrations were robust, reflecting on how we shaped design and its sinuous curves through crafts and heritage. Let’s raise a toast to the future, forward with insightful and innovative ideas that will change our relationship with style. The trio of Lakmē, Reliance Brands Limited, and FDCI led the way as 30 incredible design gurus. We appreciated everyone who had stood by us rock solid.”
Metallic embellishments – Falguni Shane Peacock & AK | OK by Anamika Khanna
Falguni Shane and Peacock moved into a much moodier palette for their show titled ‘Ashen Roses’, with structured jackets, crystal-studded corsets, and sleek silhouettes featuring their signature feathers, in a more restrained fashion than their couture collections. The collection was a study in contrasts, as power and fluidity, structure and movement, as well as boldness and intimacy took center stage.
Metallic embellishments took centre-stage in many collections, including theirs. Power shoulders are here to stay, as amply displayed in their fierce collection. Showstopper Tamannah Bhatia’s outfit featured sharply tailored pants, an embellished corset and a cropped black blazer, another signature by the designer duo.
Luxury Prêt – OTT by Tarun Tahiliani & S &N By Shantanu and Nikhil
OTT by Tarun Tahiliani presented at the Lakme Fashion Week with Season 2, it had all the positives of a RTW collection – fluidity, texture and versatility. The collection featured multi-wear separates, designed for a wardrobe meant to be mixed and matched, styling being a key component of the collection. Models showcased the versatility of the collection on stage, re-styling pieces in real-time to demonstrate how garments could be layered, draped, and worn in multiple ways. The collection highlighted sustainability by emphasising how the same look could be worn in multiple ways. The collection blended Indian and Western silhouettes in a distinctly India Modern manner. Draped gilets, fluid dresses, structured jackets, and layered separates exuded a sensual, romantic, and bohemian charm, catering to both young and mature wearers.
Hand-embroidered chikankari, a craft that Tarun Tahiliani has been a loyalist of over decades, featured in his OTT collection as well, in a contemporary fashion. Rabari craftwas revived through vintage replicas and fresh, archive-inspired styles. The Singh Twins’ signature geometric prints, first introduced in Tarun Tahiliani’s 2015 collaboration, made a comeback in a delicate summer palette of ecru, blush, sage, and taupe, with fabrics such as linen, chanderi, georgette, organza, and jersey.
S & N by Shantnu and Nikhil were one of the first movers when it came to establishing a luxury prêt collection. Launched in 2020, the brand has an established presence across the country with 17 stores. Piazza Nova, their latest collection, borrows its aesthetic from their breakthrough 2016 collection ‘The Cabinet Mission’. The collection featured bandhgalas styled with shirts and ties, waistcoats reimagined as jackets, and a striking mix-and-match styling approach. Military elements, a defining signature of S&N, remain central to the aesthetic, with signature crests, tapes, and sharp tailoring exuding power and precision. The color palette embraces a European flair, featuring pastel pinks, deep navy, and bold houndstooth patterns, seamlessly blending heritage with contemporary style.
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Travel-inspired – Saaksha and Kinni | Rahul Mishra
Jahnvi Kapoor’s showstopping moment, paparazzi in tow at the Lakme Fashion Week was much photographed, making its way into all our social media feeds. However, the real showstopper was the stunning collection by the genius Rahul Mishra, whose collection, The Silk Route, drew inspiration from the ancient trade routes between the East and the West. India was at the crossroads of this trade route where not just goods, but also culture and ideas found a place. This exchange was at the bottom of his collection, which was inspired by a global language, from New York to Tokyo. This was yet another designer, who was inspired by heritage embroidery in a contemporary collection. It featured Indian Bandhani and Japanese Shibori at the same time, Mishra’s vision to portray that creativity transcends borders.
If Mishra’s collection was dreamy yet serious, Saaksha and Kinni’s ‘Myrah’ collection, featuring a topless Ishaan Khattar, was a reminder of all the fun that follows travel. Inspired by the Adalaj stepwell in Gujarat, the collection featured kaftans, jackets and chic pants in lightweight fabrics such as chiffons, cottons and crepes, a joyful statement to summer dressing.
