Gen next designer Vilvin Sabu, celebrates fashion in a grand way with a twist of new style at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 as she unveils her collection Tropical Chic, an eclectic mix of botanical elements with abstract designs.

Inspired by the Amazonian Rainforest, the designer has played with exuberant colours, dramatic detailing and bold imagery coupled with stunning color combination. Handmade embroidery techniques are used to create modern designs and abstract graphics set against carefully hand dyed silk fabric.

With a strong emphasis on fabric, cut and color, the designs focus on shape and enhancing silhouette with innovative cuts and fits.

Following the adulation and critical reception in costume, Anju Modi brings her latest Summer/Resort collection to Mumbai with her debut at Lakme Fashion Week 2014 on 15th March.
Taking inspiration from the couplet by Amir Khusrow – “Gar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast ” – the fantastical collection aptly named ‘seeking paradise’ delves deep into the recesses of the imaginary world.

Designer Anavila Misra primes up for her debut this Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014, with hand-woven linen and handcrafted garments, as she unveils yet another stunning collection ‘The secret life of the forest’.

Encapsulating her journey and weaving her inspirations, Anavila’s creations are a replica of the women from the tribes. Keeping her contemporary collection traditionally rooted, Anavila explores various drapes in her saris with a range of light and sober hues like ecru, burnt rose, black, indigo, white, sap green and ochre, in an eclectic mix of motifs using forms like khatwa, sujani, batik, hand texturing, and weaving.

Nikhil Thampi returns to Lakme Fashion Week this season with Untamed, a collection depicting the power of sexes and their freedom to uninhibited expression.

With two key elements zip detailing and rose-gold metallic flowers used as embellishments defining the line, the collection commences with a white structured line up of garments moving into shades of pink – rose, blush and dusty nude finally evolving into a fun, flirty mix of strong & bold colors such as red, mango, yellow, purple, teal and tan leather.

In silhouettes tailored trousers, dress shirts, pencil skirts, structured blazers, well-fitted dresses dominate the collection.

Day 7:

The French capital moves forward towards the end of the very fascinating fashion week with designers like Stella Mccartney, Sacai, Leonard Paris, GiambattistaValli, Emanuel Ungaro, Elle Saab, Véronique, Bolanquinho, Amaya Arzuaga, LéaPeckre pour Maison Lejaby and Saint Laurent, showcasing their collections on its seventh day.

As the excitement continued among the onlookers, Sacai stepped in with his clothing replete of layers and folds. A collection causing much saturation to the eye, it was all about being unique and self-styled among the crowd. The colour scheme floated from blacks and hot reds to navy blues and greys, carefully contrasting with the matte-white run way. The entire collection was designed in an over-sized, off shoulder fashion wearable on formal occasions, dinings, evening parties etc. All in all, it reflected what being comfortable along with being unique is.

Elle Saab stood next on a competing level with Sacai. Here was a dark black run way with models cat-walking in ideal evening wears. A creative use of velvet, net and glitter fabric, the colour range-varying from maroon, onion pink, black and hue-was employed to complement the fabric effectively. The collection comprised of evening gowns, off shoulder floral printed ground on a black full length dress and charismatic black see through gown with a detailed neck line. Elle succeeded in a display of a flawless for any occasion.

Last but not the least; it was Emanuel Ungaro who graced the evening with his sober and refined pieces of clothing. The colour palette was effectively used to synchronise with the blue run way smudged with white lights. The range of dresses went from ill fitted zebra printed coat paired with trouser to a plain black sweater with a leather front paired with a furry short skirt. A few floral prints enhanced with pinks, light greens and reds could also be viewed. The collection spoke more of a woman’s personality than its graphical presentation.

Day 4:

The much exciting French capital continues with its world of glamour as the fashion week reaches its day4. Designers showcasing their Fall-Winter 2014- ’15 were Roland Mouret, Chalayan, Issey Miyake, Julien David, Christian Dior and Isabel Marant to name a few.

The start highlights included Julien David’s street-wear collection. The clothes were comparatively loose fitting, with a plain and simple colour scheme. The ramp was artistically arranged with a greyish white floor and golden background giving a retro look to the cat-walks. As the models walked on flat-sole furry shoes, the metallic finishing skirt paired with top, the printed blue gown and the other pieces got a relaxed edge to the look. The collection was extremely wearable on all sorts of occasions.

Following came up the extremely stylish and luxurious Christian Dior with a bright effluent colourful collection on a white run way. The collection was comprised of umbrella cut dresses with a feminine fit on the waists, stylish sleek long coats and full length gowns. However, the outshining aspect of the collection lay in its colour range which was filled with shiny hot red, bright navy blue, neon pinks, bright peach and shimmery grey. All in all, the collection was a mix and match of evening and day wear, wearable at both formals and casual occasions.

Next hitting the grounds was Isabel Marant’s collection on an exclusive dark atmosphere set up on the run way. The collection seemed to be street-wear inspired because of the loose fitting clothes. A limited colour scheme, ranging from off whites and dark browns to olive greens and shimmery blacks. Use of furs on the coats proved to be the unique factor of the collection. Full sleeved sweat shirts paired with skirts, wrap-around short skirt paired with a coat and a printed top underneath a brown sweater with leather pants were some of the highlights of the show.

Day 5:

The fifth day was equipped with designers who more or less had a different approach towards fashion. Junya Watanabe raised the curtains with her exclusive dark as the night collection on a shiny black runway. Following whom were Haider Ackermann, Tsumori Chisato, Victor and Rolf and Comme de Garcons among others.

Haider Ackermann, a regular among fashionistas showcased a light heartening collection this time. The collection was replete of full length dresses, clearly, magnifying and highlighting the femininity in women. From full length jump suits to long skirts paired with elegant sleek tops, the collection was an ideal formal wear. However, the colour range remained limited to black, brown and greyish white.

Viktor & Rolf stepped in next with their collection filled with simplicity and elegance. A messed up collection of day wear suitable for multiple occasions, Viktor & Rolf concentrated on the comfort factor more than anything else. The colour range went dynamic with three pieces in fluorescent orange and blue and mild green. An off white embroidered dress, with beautiful net sleeves was among the one most applauded.

Putting an end to the show came in Rei Kawakubo and Vivienne Westwood’s Comme de Garcons. The duo belongs to the same generation and displayed a pile of clothing on the models. A collection most dynamic, most loud and most dark, Rei and Vivienne defined their own way of styling through these pieces of creativity. Only an extremely experimental kind of a fashion freak can find its ideal wardrobe under Comme de Garcons.

Day 6:

The sixth day went with some exuberant and loud colour range on the run way. Designers showcasing their collection were Kenzo, Andrew Gn, Maxime Simoens, Céline, Chloé and Jean Paul Gaulter among others.

To start with, Céline entered with her collection of leapord prints, furs and check prints. Designer Phoebe Philo had turned her attention this season to concentrating on texture. The ramp was given an artistic touch by the wooden straws to add a dusky dimension to all the clothing. The collection was a complete formal wear including long slim fitted and over-sized furry coats. It was a unique blend of rigid and relaxed carefully complimenting the bold and dynamic women.

Whereas, Jean Paul Gaulter stood high among the crowd with a green atmosphere set up for his show. The collection too was completely loud, street and discotheque inspired. Wearable for men, women and kids, the collection was replete of glossy leather jackets and pants, flag printed dresses and check prints.

Finally, Andrew Gn stepped in with a collection extremely stylish, fashionable and evening wear. Here were some pieces exposing the designer’s fondness of delicacy and femininity in women. An exclusive evening wear, the collection comprised of a beautiful off shoulder gown knitted in net fabric. Among the other delights of the collection there was a beautiful hot red dress fitted towards the waist, highlighting the curvy bottoms. All in all, the collection was ideal for fashion freak women who believe in looking at their best in all places and in all occasions.