Saaz by Ankita Choudhry recently previewed her WIFW A/W 2011 collection inspired mainly of Leh-Ladakh and its miraculous beauty and people.

A true ode to the Land of Ladakh, the collection celebrates the undisturbed land still untouched by civilization, the land where primitive crafts come alive against the barren solid landscapes and the only colour apart from grey mountains that you see is that of turquoise water reflecting the clear sky. The colour pallet for the collection is from the natural elements of the cold desert – sand nude, ice green, turquoise water and coral red.

The ancient crafts of Ladakh are intricately integrated with the modern fabrics and futuristic silhouettes. Raw firoza, coral and saffaire stones are embedded into each garment to enrich the beauty of the collection.

The designer duo Rabani & Rakha has come up with ‘Jewels of Vivacity’, a collection narrating the tale of femininity at A/W 2011 edition of WIFW.

The collection mainly highlights  two distinct looks , one very bright and vibrant  and the later  very subtle and underplayed laying  emphasis on both the wear ability and the glam quotient .  Starting with the gowns of  jersey lycra in Black , military Green and Chocolate with drapes and  metallic detailing with  aid of few but astute details amongst which a singular drape on the shoulder or a delicately gathered neckline, subtle touches oozing with charm highlight the collection. Sometimes they are neoclassic drape which wraps and emphasizes the figure , other times it is the scissoring which emphasizes the anatomy with elegant vigor.

The collection infuses the  vibrance of  femininity with bright leopard prints juxtaposed against beautiful roses .There are  gowns which are splendidly structured in nets, chiffons , georgettes with  wealth of elegant embroidery and showers of sequins and crystals, bringing the play of volumes and splendid asymmetry in focus . The Color palette is toned on the spectacular use of bold tones like turquoise, fuchsia, ochre as well as subtle grey, prune and teal blue.

Zurhke’ by Rajdeep Ranawat and Naresh Chauhan is showcasing a collection taking its inspiration from renaissance Europe –  a period of rebirth  when new ideas and concepts were embraced, at upcoming WIFW A/W 2011.

The elegance and the indulgence of that era have been reflected in the new exciting world of modern fashion through this collection. Vintage embroideries mixed with modern silhouettes create a stunning look that takes inspiration from the past while encouraging individual innovation. The illusionary approach to embroidery which ignores seam lines and construction creates its own field of vision. The color palette of purples, browns , beiges , indigo etc have been enhanced by a hint of mint, a dash of fucshia, a sprinkle of burnt orange.

The sensuous aesthetic of opulent fabrics like velvet, silk, georgette and lace have been heightened by delicate and sophisticated embroideries. The embroideries done in wool, mohair, silk etc. have been enhanced by incorporating Swarovski elements, beads, pearls, stones, laser cut three dimensional felt etc. They add color, texture, richness and dimension to the ensemble.

Digital prints created in house using European flower motifs and patterns are manipulated with blown up animal prints to give the garments an eclectic look. Here too, simple ornamental embroideries and the clever use of felt as an embellishment give a contemporary edge.

Dark tones and gothic vibes sum the look of the WIFW A/W 2011 collection from ‘Virtues’ by Ashish, Viral and Vikrant. Named as, ‘The Birth of Evil’, the collection features a variety of outfits inspired by gothic architecture where pointed arches play a very vital role. The gothic influence is also seen in the silhouettes with length and volume giving extra dimension and depth. It is a deliberate effort to overstate black, muted and dark clothing full of layers and flow and a full covered look with robes, jackets and dresses.

The collection is spread over a vast range of prints which are predominant with a section of natural dyes and block prints from Bagru, Rajasthan. The color palette is deep, dark and muted from black, coffee bean, burgundy, wine, scarlet, fuchsia and deep purple.

The fabrics used are silks, chiffons, georgettes and chanderis. Vintage embroideries as vasali, marodi, zardosi and aari have been incorporated with lot of emphasis on dull silver.

Designer Monapali is presenting, ‘The Jewels of India’, a collection blending Indian sensibilities into western mood while creating mélange of fusion wear at WIFW A/W 2011 this time.

She is paying homage to the various ornaments and jewellery of India as semiprecious stones through her collection by using stones. Delicate embroidery, mesh work, bead work, thread work, zardozi and gota work marry hand paint, discharge print and bold graphic patterns to blend into an easy silhouette in soft sensual fabrics that form the backbone of the collection. A classic colour palette in muted tones comes to life with highlights in shades of wine, blue and pink. 

The collection celebrates rawness and earthiness juxtaposed with sophistication and elegance. It’s an ode to the beauty of the feminine form. Fabrics like Tussar silk and satin have been juxtaposed with chiffon, lycra and net. The color palette varies from shades of grey, brown to beige and black with highlights in wine, pink, rust and blue.

 A mix of modern and classic cuts with fusion as the mainstay dominates the silhouettes of the collection. Jumpsuits, kaftans, shrugs, zouaves, tops, bustiers, wraps and saris along with multi utility garments find their way into the collection. Surface texturing, embroidery, hand paint and discharge print are the key elements that make up the collection. Prints walk hand in hand with hand paint and surface ornamentation. Thread, bead, gota and cut work along with zardozi all mingle in to add a dramatic flair.  Opaque uncut semi precious stones add a dash of exclusivity to the work.

Deriving her inspiration from the art works of William Morris, particularly his iconic wallpaper designs, designer Chandrani Siingh Fllora presents a sneak peek into her WIFW A/W 2011 collection, Foliage.

Reinterpreted on textile through texturing and embroidery – leaves, vines and creepers with a loose art nouveau reference form the main motifs of the collection. Detailed thread embroideries, quilting, patchwork, cutwork and cording create luxurious surfaces. Controlled shine is introduced through beading, sequins and crystal elements. The colours comprise midnight blue, deep burgundy, peacock blue and nude-beige. Sheer and opaque fabrics provide lighter and heavier options for winter layering. Various weights of silk, wool blends and jersey are used to create elegant pieces.

The shapes are influenced by medieval French costume elements. Cloaks, Pierrot collars, elaborate cuffs and capes are presented in modern styles bearing Chandrani’s fuss free prêt sensibility. Her love for drape is retained and complemented by more structure this time. Detailed constructions and finishes elevate prêt to a more luxurious range.