Tanya SachdevKnown for her daring experiments with textiles, experimenter Anita Dongre ended Day Three at the huge Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 with her breathtaking pastel collection- “Varanasi Weaves” which was a true tribute to the traditional fabrics from India. Anita’s show was inspired by hand-woven cottons of Varanasi and gave way to a visual treat of prêt separates for fashion and textile lovers.
The evening was laid for some great fashion with the opening display by Geetu Hinduja who with her melodious voice regaled the audience throughout the show with her foot tapping folk tunes. The archway to the ramp was framed by giant white floral cut outs.
The gorgeous Dia Mirza walked down in a stunning self designed lemon lehenga graced by long sleeved blouse. She was followed by models who walked gracefully wearing maxis and waisted full-sleeved dresses. Soon there followed pretty pastel sections offering a mélange of creations.
Prét separates had a boho luxe look with hints of couture touches. The beauty of the elegant Varanasi weaves were highlighted in the stately column gowns, pencil skirts, and then moved to cropped tops and floor skimming skirts, worn with flared pants.
Colours were rich and vibrant as old rose, buttercup yellow, powder blue were teamed with dull, nude gold and pure white.
Embroidery was tonal with gentle shimmer and beadwork highlighting the ensembles. Self designed fabrics across a variety of combinations were gracefully turned into plunge neck zigzag weave gowns, pleated maxi skirts, swallow tail maxis, off- shoulder blouses and embellished boleros. A hint of transparency spoke evidently in gowns with light mini inners/sheer lean kurtas on nicely layered flowing pants and stunning embroidered blouses paired with palazzos. Long sleeved tube gowns, draped white/blue shaded skirt and paper bag skirts with tailored shirts were part of the walking beauties on the runway. Silhouettes moved from lean and straight to flares that spoke of sensuous volumes.
Men’s wear was perfect with unstructured jackets or frayed-edged in white linen, sheer shirts, waistcoats, kurtas, dhotis, bundgalas, and slim trousers.
Anita Dongre’s “Varanasi Weaves” grandly presented by the Ministry of Textiles Government of India, Development Commissioner for Handlooms together with Clothing Manufacturers Association of India proved a fascinating summer offering to all those women and men who truly value timeless and fast forward fashion. Anita weaved a multi-faceted story of fashion and laced it with traditional weaves.
The Footwear was provided by Reliance Footprint.
Tanya Sachdev
2 comments
Lovely collection!!
Anita Dongre brings back the traditional Indian women wearing, color of dresses are superb and really graceful. And no doubt Dia Mirza is looking stunning.