Kolkata’s popular designer Sanjukta Dutta, is renowned for her passion for traditional heritage textiles. At Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, Sanjukta unveiled her latest collection গধূলি Gadhuli (The Twilight), which had a delicate inspiration of the twilight shades of the night with black and maroon at the core of the line.

Pic: Designer Sanjukta Dutta with  Neelam Kothari

To the strains of the solo violinist Sunita Bhuyan, the show opened with a tribute to the late Zubeen Garg, whose image was seen on the Pallav of the opening sari.

Highlighting the beautiful Assamese  weaves in rich black and maroon hues, Sanjukta brought a fashion depth that was instilled in ageless traditions. Her passion for the Assamese Mekhela Chador was once again evident, as it was the highlight of the collection. Reimagined in contemporary silhouettes, Sanjukta displayed a versatile line of saris, dhotis, skirts and elegant Anarkalis.

Creating an amazing impact on the runway, were the intricate motifs and handwoven textures. Sanjukta is well-known for unconventional contemporary detailing, which has turned each garment into a showstopping attire. Sanjukta’s design sensibilities have always been nurtured by the rich textiles of Assam that have been given prime position in every collection that she has unveiled season after season.

“For me the textiles of Assam and the north east have always been an inspiration and I have tried to promote them in a contemporary form for Indian as well as international buyers,” announced Sanjukta Dutta

The eternally beautiful Neelam Kothari was the ideal showstopper, as she glided on the ramp in a luxurious black and gold sari worn with a demure, long-sleeved black choli.

The “Gadhuli” collection by Sanjukta Dutta was a gorgeous, feminine display, which was a tribute to timeless, bold textiles from the North East of India.

JIGAR & NIKITA SHOWCASED THEIR CONTEMPORARY VISION FOR GLAMOUROUS FORMALWEAR AT LAKMĒ FASHION WEEK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FDCI

The designing duo, Jigar & Nikita launched their brand in 2015 and are known for their sophisticated and elegant ensembles for bridal and festive wear. Their creative repertoire has always offered a grand mélange of gowns, lehenga/choli/dupatta sets, cocktail creations and Indo-western ensembles for men and women. They have ensured each season that they created affordable luxury, and are known to push their creative aesthetics to the ultimate limits. Stunning embroidery has done the talking for the pair and is the leitmotif of their creations, along with unconventional silhouettes and styling.

The stunning actor Saiee M Manjrekar was a picture of sophisticated elegance as she opened the show in a gorgeous, dazzling, lehenga, choli and sheer dupatta that was ideal bridal attire.

The Jigar & Nikita collection at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, was a grand fashion odyssey on the ramp. The designing pair unveiled the “11°E” collection, which was aimed at emphasizing the global awakening of the East. For the designers, the Number 11 is the mystical indication of intuition and enlightenment, while the ‘E’ is about the longitude East, which is at the heart of their inspiration.

As the dazzling line of creations floated down the runway on beautifully styled models, the rich intricate patterns, the stunning hues of India and the East were a hypnotic presentation. The styles spoke a modern international language that ensured that the design conversation moved smoothly from the past to the present, with traditional crafts at the core. The merger of global trends with the unconventional fashion directions brought forth grand visual craftsmanship.

“We are very fond of showcasing glamorous creations with rich intricate patterns that are ideal for the bridal and festive season every year,” stated Jigar and Nikita regarding their collection.

The very glittering bridal and formal wear show was brought to an end with dual show stoppers. The very beautiful Daina Penty gracefully glided down the ramp in an intricately crafted choli with a dramatic trail and an exquisite lehenga.

The very dashing Vishal Jethwa was a picture of stylish elegance as he took the ramp to end the show in a white sherwani, narrow pants and luxurious dupatta.

For the coming festive and bridal season, the “11°E” collection by Jigar & Nikita will offer immense options to buyers who want to make great fashion statements at grand events.

ANKUSH JAIN’S COLLECTION AT LAKMĒ FASHION WEEK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH  FDCI WAS A FASHIONABLE POEM ON THE RUNWAY

Pic: Ankush Jain with Parul Gulati 

When a collection is aimed at the bridal and festive wear season, it has to showcase all the razzle dazzle and glamour associated with the events. Designer Akush Jain’s “Eternal Bloom” offered a grand display of richly crafted ensembles at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI. The collection was inspired by the beauty of nature, both flora and fauna - that Ankush dreamt up as fashionable poetry.

Ankush ensured that the collection had a quiet grace around it, just like his muse, nature - where deers moved gracefully and horses showed strength and power.

From colourful flowers, trees, hills, butterflies and doves that were featured as the motifs on the garments, the collection moved gradually as it also unveiled the drama and grandeur of the intricate Zari embroidery. The fabric manipulation for the ensembles was unconventional, as sheer tissue fabrics were sculpted into exotic draped stories.

When it came to detailing, the 3D embellishments played a stylish medley with tassels and art deco directions. The colour palette played a vital role in enhancing the impact of the ensembles.

Ankush’s selection kept the formal wear direction of the collection in firm control, as sap green, rust, golden light and ice blue came together in perfect harmony for the ultra-feminine fashion scenario.

“My collection offers a mélange of fabric manipulations, unconventional styling and a versatile design sensibility, which will appeal to buyers of formal wear,” said Ankush Jain.

The very popular celebrity Parul Gulati ended the very stunning fashion presentation of gorgeous bridal wear, as she moved gracefully on the runway in an intricately embroidered lehenga, choli and beautifully crafted dupatta.

The “Eternal Bloom” collection visualised by Ankush Jain for the coming season, was all about the grandeur and style, which is aimed at the festive and bridal wear seasons.