Decoding the Runway: Top 2 Picks from Lakme Fashion Week Day 2

Was a slow day for fashion yesterday, with some very high highs and some insipid lows. The pinacle was obviously Nupur Kanoi’s collection, which I reviewed last night. In the same time slot at Kanoi, Nishka Lulla and Nikhil Thampi also brought on their breezy summer collections.

Nishka Lulla

Picture Courtesy Lakme Fashion Week

Nishka is stepping into her own with collections that represent a small section of our generation that truly love no frill dressing. The collection was understated, casual and made for the sweltering Indian summer. Minimalist and earthy, these looks can be dressed up with some interesting jewellery to make them ultra urban.

Nikhil Thampi

Picture Courtesy Lakme Fashion Week

Thampi loves to show off a woman’s body in the most sensual way possible, his draped off shoulder dresses and backless garments are sought after by many young fashionistas. Yet it was this one pant suit, smart and sultry with it’s open back, that really stood out. The designer does have an eye for more structured outfits, and that’s where his real personality shines.

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Decoding the Runway: Nupur Kanoi does it Again

Picture Courtesy Lakme Fashion Week

This bite size designer always packs a mean punch with her collections. This time around Nupur Kanoi has called to every fashion diva in us, with something to lust after. Giving new meaning to the Bronze Goddess, these metallic accented garments know just how to show off a woman’s body – by being predominantly covered up. Kathrine Hepburn and others who portrayed their femininity through androgynous dressing would be very proud of what Kanoi has put up.

Picture Courtesy Lakme Fashion Week

This collection was quintessentially Kanoi, if you see her jutting around or talking at the speed of light, you’ll notice that all her garments look best on her, yet suit every body type out there. This polymorphous range of clothing was a subtle play of the strong and gentle, the fluid yet structured. I couldn’t have asked for more from Nupur, except maybe a post show drink like we did last time this year!

Decoding the Runway: Top 5 picks of Lakme Fashion week Day 1

One of my favourite fashion weeks started yesterday, yes, we’re talking about Lakmé Fashion Week. Through the years of attending LFW, I’ve been so fortunate to meet the people who make the event happen. From backstage to the organizers, they’re a very talented and hard working bunch. None of the shows, stalls, parties and even gossip would be possible without them. Also, I loved calling the Grand Hyatt my home for a week.

Amalraj Sengupta

Picture Courtesy Lakmé Fashion Week

A genius with stripes, this collection was smart and very modern. It’s a great statement to the global fashion community, that Indian fashion isn’t just about sequined saris. Every piece from this collection will enhance a wardrobe. The stand out pieces were the jackets, that worn with anything will look incredibly (for lack of a better word) chic.

Ragini Ahuja

Picture Courtesy Lakmé Fashion Week

A genNext designer with tremendous talent for the understated. This platform is usually home to outrageous, all personality clothing – a designer’s first impression to the fashion world. Ragini Ahuja decided to play to her strengths and kept the collection tame. Love the geometrical panther motif, and the start black and white colour palette. Can wait to see more from this designer.

Huemn by Pranav Mishra and Shyma Shetty

Picture Courtesy Lakmé Fashion Week

I had the opportunity to meet both the designers last year at their stall, and believe me when I tell you the tailoring and quality of their collections are impeccable. This time around it wasn’t any different. There is a clear sense of identity and while there is a lot of layering, the essence of each garment is clean and minimalist. Something that’s very close to my own design aesthetic. Great work guys!

Decoding the Runway: Top 4 picks from Day 5 at Wills India Fashion Week

Finally the end to a long week, while I miss not being at the shows, it was nice to be able to cover it from a pictures only perspective. It’s refreshing to not have the chatter about a collection being amazing just because someone is popular or friends with the designer.

Manish Arora

Pictures Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

Stepford wife meets the Adams family is what sprung to mind when I saw these two looks. The collection did have a whole lot of dizzying prints and general chaos that’s very Arora, but i like the restraint displayed in these two.

Mrinalini

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

There was a whole lot of black and white on offer at this show, but this look in particular was my personal favourite. It screams out layered madness in a way that only we fashion folks love. Why wear anything separately, clothes are so much more interesting when all thrown on together.

Myoho by Kiran & Meghna

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

Perfect for the summer, a bright red dress and the essential light weight cover-up to protect you from the sun. As I mentioned before in my Victoria Beckham post, tone on tone is so on trend right now and effortlessly classy.

Decoding the Runway: Top 3 picks from Day 4 at Wills India Fashion Week

Finally a day where I actually had a tough time selecting a few standouts. The collections on a whole had more vision, more flair and a whole lot of cool sophistication.

Anand Bhushan

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

Think quirky and goth and it probably wouldn’t work, until of course you see an outfit like this one from designer Anand Bhushan. I love the oversize bulk the fabric’s texture lends the dress. Teamed with a poodle (?) neck piece and a dropped waist silhouette, this dress has gone from ordinary to fierce.

Dev r Nil

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

I did a short feature on them pre fashion week, and looks like they’ve done nothing but surpass my expectations. As suspected the red dress had it’s moment on the runway. However I’m gravitating more to the other jacket and maxi dress combo. As a mak-a-pao I’m not at all aversed to the matching skirt-suit, I hope this does turn into a trend.

Payal Pratap

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

There was so much to like about Payal Pratap’s collection, but what most stood out was her simplification of the traditional kediyu (correct me if I’m wrong). The design lines were translated in the most contemporary way, in many of the dresses we saw come down the runway. This one in hot pink was my favourite.

Decoding the Runway: Top 2 picks from Day 3 at Wills India Fashion Week

Sometimes you have to admit that gorgeous fashion comes from those that have been in the business for years. And boy do these designers know their business and their fashion. They know exactly what works for their brand, and they deliver 100%.

Manish Malhotra

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

Phulkari was word of the night with Manish Malhotra’s latest collection. His Indian-wear is always exquisite and this particular outfit makes me want to run out and buy it. Sorry about the terrible image, but just look how gorgeously erotic the back of the garment is. Plus the play on sheer makes for one sensual ensemble. I want.. now!

Abraham & Thakore

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

This designer duo always bring a sense of zen and strength to their collections. I love the subtle oriental influence of the garment, yet the asymmetrical neckline keeps it form being dated or gimmicky. Not quite sold on the gold platform footwear, but we’ll let that slide.

Decoding the Runway: Top 2 picks from Day 2 at Wills India Fashion Week

I was quite disappointed with day 2 to be honest, I was only capable of picking two looks. I’m sure the collections were a lot better live than in the few images I’ve seen. However, I have to say a huge round of applause goes to the stylists who so expertly drape and make garments look more fashionable than perhaps they are.

Tarun Tahiliani

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

Monks in Tibet or sadhus at the Khubh Mela, what ever the inspiration this particular look will turn heads no matter where you are. Orange is such a beautiful colour on our skin tone, plus the flounce of the fabric and the cinch at the waist makes this stand out look.

Anju Modi

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

This is an amazing example how stylists are so important for a designer’s vision to be understood by the audience. While by itself this anarkali outfit would have been dated, it’s given a fresh uplift with the drape and military-esque jacket.

Decoding the Runway: Top 3 picks from Day 1 at Wills India Fashion Week

Apologies for the late post on Day 1, but don’t worry my Day 2 picks will follow suit shortly.

Vineet Bahl

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

It’s all about black and white for me, and when teamed up with one of my favorite Indian textiles, it has to hit no.1 on my list. This chikankari garment looked effortlessly chic. It was highlighted by that thin black border, just goes to show, simplicity is always best, I’ve said it over and over again, this is the proof.

Pankaj & Nidhi

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

What’s not to love about this particular garment, it hits all the right notes, A-line silhouette, trench coat bodice and that gorgeous ombre. Any girl, any size, any occasion this garment is going to look stunning on her. Don’t fancy the Socks with high heels trend, hope that’s not a thing now. Even if it is.. SKIP IT

Satya Paul by Masaba Gupta

Picture Courtesy Wills India Fashion Week

This was Masaba’s first collection for the design house Satya Paul, and I must say she doesn’t disappoint. While I’m sure the lipstick print garments will be all the craze, it was this particular outfit that stood out. The knee length blazer draped over the shoulders, matched with the perfect tea time dress, conjured up images of Carrie Bradshaw in SATC. Very New York, yet with an essence of India.

Decoding the Runway: Dev r Nil’s Silence Collection (Sneak Peek)

Wills India Fashion Week is just around the corner, and with that means more amazing Indian Autumn/Winter collections. Dev r Nil sent me some pictures today with a sneak peek of what’s to come. They’ve been enchanted by the idea of a Samurai, Geisha and Monk that are experiencing a sense of silence. It’s that’s moment where leaves start to fall and winters start to set in, as they explain in their prose.

Shoe Bites: Going for Armin Van Buuren. My Top 5 List

I said after Swedish House Mafia, I would not go for a concert, but I couldn’t help myself. ‘A state of trance’ has become so immensely popular, and to think that it will be recorded live in Mumbai just makes you want to be part of the madness. While people have been saying that the set Armin Van Buuren will be playing at ASOT600 has already been recorded etc, I try not to be cynical when it comes to music. I remember seeing Armin at Sunburn and it was just the icing, no cherry on the 3 day cake. To get myself all hyper about the concert I’ve put together a playlist of 5 songs that I really want to hear at the concert.

In and out of love is old I know, but he ended Sunburn with this one, and teamed with fireworks and a beach, it was an an exceptional moment