Monthly Archives: August 2016

Sonia Rykiel French Designer Passes Away

Lately, Sonia Rykiel aged 86, known as the Queen of Knitwear was suffering from Parkinson’s disease died this Thursday.
Nathalie Rykiel, managing and artistic director of the Sonia Rykiel fashion label, said: “My mother died at 05:00 this morning at her home in Paris from the effects of Parkinson’s.”

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She started her career as a window dresser in 1948, with her first foray into design being when she knitted herself maternity dresses after marrying Sam Rykiel, the owner of a Paris boutique.

Rykiel made her breakthrough in 1962 with the so-called poor boy sweater, which had long sleeves and a fitted shape. During her career she developed new techniques like inside-out stitching and no-hem finishings, with other star pieces including embroidered knitted tops and rhinestone-studded berets.

Rykiel opened her first ready-to-wear store on Paris’s Left Bank in 1968 and her fashion empire went on to include menswear, children’s clothing, accessories and perfumes.

According to her website, Rykiel “urged women to be eccentric, seductive, mysterious, and to create their own style”. (courtesy: bbc.com )

Nimish Shah at Lakme Fashion Week W/F ’16

Review 

Nimish Shah, has always been inspired by thrifty looks, sharply cut dresses along with a mix of Anglo Kolhapuris and other fashion regulars. Using printed, solid and some bright fabrics designer showcased his quaintly titled collection ‘Housewives of Alibaug’. His ode to the urban housewife of the 1970 refracted through a 90’s prism was an interesting take on fashion for the coming season.

The highlights of the collection were some long dresses that had conservative sexual undertones along with, as the designer described, the ‘interior designer’ work wear, with few dresses having a slightly unkept look. The use of luxe crêpe de chine, velvet and the signature knits were the basis of the garments. Heady beading added a hint of glitter to the oversized travel coats ideal for casual dressing.

Keeping the next season’s colours in mind Nimish used saturated tones like ash, chalky pink and then added marigold, teal, emerald and purple.
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Floppy tops were ideal for striped black/white dress, while the double breasted cropped jacket and off-shoulder midi created nostalgia. Waist lines moved from low to elasticised; but midis looked feminine with off- shoulder silhouettes. The long sleeved shirt dress with the cute Peter Pan collar, the panelled full-buttoned dress, velvet mini skirt with knitted sweater and the velvet coat over a midi added variety to the show.

A hint of glitter was brought in with the white dress and the comfy smock, while the formal wear scene was restricted to the bare shoulder maxi and the long sleeve bolero gown.

Atsu Sekhose at Lakme Fashion Week W/F ’16

Review 

Atsu Sekhose latest collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2016 was an ode to the beautiful Naga shawls. Influenced by the black and white superb weave of this traditional shawl, Atsu contemporised the graphic elements and turned them into minimal modern silhouettes. Using the drapes of the tribes as a guideline, the styling of the ensembles was very luxurious and innovative.

The eye-catching outfits were totally hand crafted with some amazing intricate embroidery featuring motifs that were recreated from ancient Naga textile symbols. Incorporating only black and white with fuchsia and pink accents to add hints of colour, designer had a firm creative control on all aspects of the collection.

Opening the show with the dramatic halter black/white panelled dress, Atsu brought amazing creations like the one-shoulder high slit skirt dress, deep ‘V’ neck embroidered panelled creation and the corset tied around the ivory shirt. The fuchsia hues blossomed for slim midi and the long sleeved blouse with cut-out shoulders that raised the bar of the colour card. Lace bustier with skirt and blazer, kimono style coat with cropped pants and the one long sleeved asymmetric sheath took the show to a more formal level.

The final line of black lacy gowns shimmered with glitter, and at times were multi-tasselled or with silver embellished necklines. The show stopping body suit with a long net tasselled skirt will surely be the highlight on the Red Carpet.