Setting the mood for the glorious shows by Jayanti Reddy and Ridhi Mehra during Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019, the setting was an arresting elevated ambience, where the runway with floral décor and mirrors, was a perfect backdrop to the graceful walk of the models as they glided down.JAYANTI REDDY DAZZLED THE AUDIENCE WITH HER MESMERIZING COLLECTION AT LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK WINTER/FESTIVE 2019With a collection that aimed to capture creativity at its best, Jayanti Reddy’s “Benares and Beyond” at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019, dazzled the audience with its exclusive fashion statements. Showcasing a strong sense of innovation, the silhouettes epitomised elegance and understated style. Deriving its inspiration from the picturesque beauty of Benares, Kashi and Varanasi, the designer used clothes as her canvas to showcase a striking line of ensembles.Highlighting the essence of the glorious, yet complex city of Benares, that much like the Indian bride, refuses to be defined, each entry carried a sense of old and new, traditional yet challenging vibe. With a kaleidoscope of ideas that were a feast for the eyes, fabrics like raw silks, Banarasi woven fabrics, were teamed with sheer organza and net, to add fluidity.Giving the garments a modern twist, while retaining their originality, were a variety of anarkalis, dhotis, long kurtas, dupattas, lehengas and cholis, with designs inspired by natural motifs like flowers and mangoes.Jayanti’s obsession for details was seen on the outfits, which were a mix of bold and intricate embroidery. Scalloped hemlines, lace belts with shells and mirror work, along with heavily embellished dupattas were a definite trendsetter. Experimenting with the blouses, there were plunging V-necklines, while the backless cholis with excessive layering and tassels added drama.The colour palette ranged from muted beiges to pistachio greens, ivories, flaming reds, wines, hot pinks and rich purples being dominant.The heavily embellished purple lehenga with a tube blouse and scalloped dupatta, embroidered along the hem made a great style statement. Draping the saris, in multifarious ways, Jayanti Reddy used a lot of Banarasi work that added to the appeal. The exquisite purple lehenga with scalloped hemlines and a plunging V-neckline, teamed with a green dupatta stole the limelight.For a show stopping entry it was the gorgeous Pooja Hegde, in a heavily embellished purple scalloped hem lehenga and dupatta, while the tasselled plunging neckline of the choli was visually stunning.For women who are looking for aesthetically pleasing outfits, Jayanti Reddy’s “Benaras and Beyond” collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019, had the best offering.
RIDHI MEHRA SHOWCASED CRAFT, TEXTILES AND COLOUR AT LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK WINTER/FESTIVE 2019.Ridhi Mehra unwrapped her collection “An Ode To Heirlooms”, at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019, to a highly appreciative audience. The underlying mantra lay in the belief that “Anyone may have diamonds but an heirloom is an ornament of a different kind.”The collection was a celebration in three parts – “Wisra was a mix of Gujarati and Kashmiri forms for the Demi couture line with bohemian touches, while Ziya, combined Patola motifs with chintz and Kashmiri embroidery. Finally, Zaib was a mix of ikat, bohemian and Kashmiri prints with a contemporary touch.For timeless couture that pays homage to India’s rich textiles heritage, the range was inspired by rich Kashmiri Pashmina shawls, rare Basra pearls, inherited vintage jewels and hand-woven silk saris. With a distinct mix of the traditional to New Age cultures, Gujarati motifs from Patola textiles were effortlessly blended with Chintz designs, in Kashmiri embroidery, to create breathtakingly alluring silhouettes.For an exotic play of embellishments, French knots were juxtaposed with Dori couching and Aari work, while the vivacious prints added intrigue. Using the splendor of royalty, the designer showcased a trio of ikat, bohemian and Kashmiri aesthetics, along with customized belts.Evoking visions of sophistication with elegance, were coloured stones, handmade resham tassels and intricate silk thread details. Mesmerizingly blending unstitched expressionism with tailored deconstruction, were a range of structured jackets, peplum blouses, teamed with saris, chic jumpsuits while the anarkalis, skirts and shararas were pleated to perfection.The designs were woven onto breathable fabrics like lush satin silks, Chanderi, organzas, georgettes, personifying unique craftsmanship in an edgy manner.For an interesting detailing, the designer used belts that were intricately embroidered with mirror, thread work and feathers, while the exclusively embellished potlis were a delight to the eyes.Using the splendour of royalty the models sashayed down the runway in a treasure trove of colours, ranging from ivory, ecru, champagne, jewel, sapling blue to emerald green, Persian red and Topaz.The dark green lehenga with intricate mirror and thread work, teamed with a peplum blouse was a head turning outfit.The beautiful and statuesque Diana Penty in an intricately, embroidered, ivory dazzling sequined lehenga, sheer striped blouse and dupatta with beads, captivated the audience.For women who long for outfits that speak of cultural aesthetics, with a contemporary twist, Ridhi Mehra’s collection “An Ode To Heirlooms” had the perfect touches.Lakmé Official Makeup Expert at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019, Daniel Bauer for the Jayanti Reddy and Riddhi Mehra show kept the face matte with a light contour. The eyes had a wash of matte nude eyeshadow and mascara. The look was completed with the Lakmé Absolute Matte Revolution Lipstick in the shade Mauve Me.
Far Left Pictures (1) and (2): Ridhi Mehra’s Collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019; Right: Showstopper Diana Penty for Ridhi Mehra at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019
