July 2016 - Page 2 of 8

French luxury group LVMH has sold Donna Karan International, the parent of New York label DKNY, to U.S. clothing firm G-III Apparel Group in a deal valuing the loss-making fashion brand at $650 million, reports Reuters.

Analysts estimate DKNY’s annual sales at $450 million to $500 million, meaning G-III would be paying 1-1.5 times annual revenue, less than the 1.9 times LVMH paid when it bought the brand in 2001.

Over time, the Donna Karan brand lost touch with its customers as its brightly patterned African-inspired designs confused an identity based on jersey dresses, bodysuits and wrap skirts, fashion editors said.

And sister label DKNY struggled to compete with so-called accessible luxury brands Michael Kors and Tory Burch and edgier New York newcomers such as Alexander Wang.

The luxury conglomerate LVMH also faces pressure to turn around Marc Jacobs, which has seen its sales dive in the past two years. Analysts estimate Marc Jacobs makes even bigger losses than DKNY.

Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive, 2016 will host the first ever plus-size show for men and women styled by designer Shilpa Chavan of Little Shilpa to be held at The St. Regis, Mumbai from 24th August – 28th August 2016.

The creations showcased on runways are meant for the everyday consumers who seek high-fashion designer-wear but are often restricted by available size options. Bearing this in mind, aLL – The Plus Size store has collaborated with Lakmé Fashion Week to break thought patterns, by presenting a unique collection that will be showcased at the upcoming Winter/Festive edition.

Styled by designer Shilpa Chavan of Little Shilpa, this show will represent the inclusive spirit of fashion that both entities believe in and will showcase a host of options for every individual looking for fashionable choices irrespective of their shape or size.

Review

Inspired by the grandeur of The Czarist Regime of Russia, Kehkashan by Rohit Bal is deeply entrenched in the unmitigated philosophy of extreme luxury. This opulence has been interpreted and translated by me with my innate sense of understated glamour and elegance. I was overwhelmed by the incredible treasures and the immeasurable excesses of what was once, perhaps, the richest and most glamorous Royal Regimes the world has ever seen, says the designer.

Rohit reminisces the time spent at the incredible palaces and museums of St.Petersburg – The Hermitage, The Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, The Church of the Spilled Blood.The collection travels through time into a labyrinth of a bizarre reality of excess wealth and absolute power and is a personal interpretation and understanding of opulence and beauty .

This story sees an amalgamation of two distinct cultures and thought processes, that of Russian Grandeur and the almost austere craftsmanship of Rohits love for Kashmir, where rich golds meet fine silk threads. Zardozi meets fine Kashmiri Kaani , crewel work and petit point and chain stitch . Velvet meets hand woven silks. Rich jewels meet autumn leaves, poppies and irises in guilded frames of lustrous luxury to create one beautiful form.

From crystal to Chrysanthemum the story unfolds as it weaves its way through a magical journey of extravagance only to be drenched in the quiet caresses of the tonal colours of a Kashmiri Autumn. The silhouettes are fluid, as is my inherent style. They are full volumed and styled to create a blend between the then and the now. Jackets, tunics, quilted skirts , all given an Indian soul .

The crowns, the belts, the tiaras , the sashes , the capes , the bejewelled collars and cuffs , the glittering footwear ,lend this collection the distinctive individuality it needs to possess . The workmanship is impeccable with an unparalleled talent of our Indian kaarigars who have spent the last six months to create these pieces.

Review

Manav Gangwani unveiled Begum-e-Jannat, taking inspiration from the intricacy of the Mughal era and the Royal Age, paying tribute to his dear friend, Ms. Zainab Nedou Patel, who was from Kashmir. The collection is an amalgamation of sentiments that are evoked by the word ‘Jannat’, meaning Paradise with every design in the collection, being a reflection of a visual piece of paradise to be owned and cherished, says the designer.

Manav effortlessly captured the essence of Mughal era with subtle hints of sensuality while being regal and rich through its jewel colour palette featuring stately and opulent tones of Ivory, Black, Navy, Green and Maroon. He handcrafted over 70 painstakingly created looks blending efficaciously with Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash’s traditionally acclaimed classic tunes .

Review

Varun Bahl was amongst the couple of designers who chose an unconventional path for his latest couture cline that was displayed at the India Couture Week this year. Steering clear from the predictable hues of the Indian bride and heavy zardozi lehengas – his collection featured a lot of intricate embroideries, while maintaining the wearable quotient of the garments.

‘Vintage Garden,’ his latest offering to the Indian Couture, was inspired by the picturesque, almost monumental gardens of the yesteryears. Naturally, floral motifs made a big chunk of the entire collection. Detailed needlework was used to do the same. Apart from that the collection saw a lot of lace, tone on tone embroidery and a lot of vintage lamps as prints – giving a very sophisticated English tea party sort of a vibe.

Bahl mainly used a lot of creams, beiges, powder pastels for his colour palette. The collection also saw garments in burgundy and blue. Attempting to bring his signature global approach to traditional Indian clothes, Bahhl specifically chose fabrics that were light and breathable. His lehenga cholis, anarkallis and sarees, although heavily embroidered had clean and comfortable silhouettes. Bahl endeavoured to design something traditional for the bride who also has a global sensibility.

His couture collection for men saw kurtas, achkans with printed churidars. With floral motifs over the garments, the menswear collection also showcased an experimentative element.

by – Deesha Bondre

Review

By the looks of it, Gaurav Gupta is on a mission to challenge the aesthetics of the Indian masses by his avant-garde, larger-than-life designs. Ruffles, sculpted skirts and shoulders were the highlights of his collection, ‘scape song.’

His collection, in the designer’s words, is inspired by the fluid structures, frozen waters and the widespread culture born out of it. This could be seen in the set designed on the ramp, which featured a ‘frozen wave.’ Perhaps that’s why, the collection saw elements from the Greek, Roman, Indian and English culture throughout the entire line.

New Bollywood entrant, Saiyammi Kher walked as the showstopper for the designer. Dressed in a silver toned blue ruffled gown, the newbie walked the ramp with grace.

The collection saw the designers signature ruffled gowns, structured corsets, saree gowns, and lehenga cholis. They were styled with cutout and mesh details. Handcrafted in materials like jersey and organza, they showcased his signature embroidery.

The designer played with colours of grey, blue , green, brown and a few powder pastel colours.

by – Deesha Bondre

Review

Rahul Mishra’s latest couture collection, ‘Monsoon Diaries’ is an ode to nature. Mishra says, he was inspired by German biologist and artist Ernst Heckel’s work on the art forms of nature. His calm, soothing vision about nature was well-translated into his all the garments displayed. It created quite a stark contrast compared to the other couture collections the event saw.

Mishra’s modern Indian bride is probably minimal and easy-going while being a lover of the art. This could be seen in his ethereal line of lehenga-cholis, anarkallis, sarees, kurtas, gowns and palazzos. This completely handmade collection saw abundant detailing which gave the collection its edge. Weaving techniques of French knots and wire work was used.

The award-winning designer challenged the norms by using an atypical colour palette. Apart from his signature clothing in indigo, the collection saw a whole lot of calm hues of white, celadon green, brown and black. He stuck to light, wearable fabrics like khadi, organza, merino wool and georgette.

Apart from the vivid detailing and muted colours, the unusual styling also caught a lot of attention. Interesting drapes of the dupattas, biker jackets over sarees and anarkallis were seen every now and then. Mishra truly redefined the Indian bride with his intricate, pleasing collection.

by – Deesha Bondre

Review

It is not surprising when a designer’s couture collection is inspired by the beautiful state of Rajasthan. After all, it is about art, beauty and grandeur. Reynu Tandon’s latest couture collection is also inspired by the state, which is also where the designer hails from. Her collection KAMANGARI brings out art and spirit of the royalty of the state in every seam and every stitch. Tandon wishes to bring back traditional Indian clothing, which often considered vintage nowadays. She hopes it strikes a chord with the modern woman of today, who is still rooted to her lineage.

Actor and producer, Divya Khosla Kumar show stopped for the designer. She looked radiant in a bright red embroidered lehenga and choli. The collection saw dramatic lehengas, twirling anarkallis, and dresses inspired by the archetypal Rajasthani silhouette.

To bring in elements of her inspiration, her garments were handcrafted with foil painting and block printing on vibrant hues of khadi fabrics. Needlework and dabka work to create motifs inspired by the Rajasthani folklore was also seen throughout the collection.

Despite being a traditionally inclined collection, woven shirts as cholis, and cold-shouldered sleeves added an element of modernity. The magnificent collection saw typically bridal colours of red, orange and ivory throughout the collection.

by – Deesha Bondre

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Monthly Archives: July 2016

G-III buys DKNY for $650 million

A Plus size show for Little Shilpa

India Couture Week 2016 – Rohit Bal

Rohit Bal Show at India Couture Week 2016

Manav Gangwani Show at India Couture Week 2016

Varun Bahl Show at India Couture Week 2016

Gaurav Gupta Show at India Couture Week 2016

Rahul Mishra Show at India Couture Week 2016

Reynu Taandon Show at India Couture Week 2016