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.

An ageless purity of line, color and form inspired by the eternal beauty of the journey of life is the SS Surya collection “Song of the Little Road” for LFW SR 2014.

Renowned for his classic approach, resort-flavour and Indian motif, Surya draws his gowns, dresses, saris, jackets and drapes that is indian to the core. A palette of grey, blue, gold skin, cranberry brown, pale yellow, dull orange and white is treated to a royal mix of Indian Motif.

Paris Fashion Week:

Manish Arora A/W14 collection featured an array of brightly-coloured dresses, trousers and jackets. Headscarves, face paint, flower earmuffs, head dress with beaded detailing added lot of drama on the ramp.

Models paired the with traditional Indian-style head pieces, Heavy skirts in candy-stripes, Indian-inspired headscarf, sari-style skirt and tunic, pink sweatshirt and loose trousers with a tropical flower print, were a standout from the collection. Colours seen were a mish-mash of pink, green, blue, yellows and orange with big graphic prints of tropical flowers thick stripes.

After the much glamorous and the world’s largest fashion weeks of New York, London and Milan got over, Paris kick-started its fashion week on Tuesday 25^th of Feb 2014. The six day fashion extravaganza showcased the ready to wear collection with the luxury brand Louis Vuitton making a debut and Nicolas Ghesquiere replacing Marc Jacobs who ended his journey with Paris Fashion Week last year.

Day 1:

The ready to wear collection at its first day saw designers like Lucien Pellat Finet, Corrie Nielsen, Christine Phung, Tex Saverio, Pascal Millel, Devastee, Cedric Charlier, and Anthony Vaccarello among others.

As the curtains were raised Lucien’s pieces of creativity, the star highlight of the evening included Corrie Nielsen’s collection. The British designer showcased a couple of glossy dresses with bulge on the hips and narrow on the waist line. The commonality among them was the wrap round head accessory, giving a unique dimension to the look. Colour range remained slightly blunt including Champaign, black, grey and white. The collection seemed fashioned for evening wears plus formals.

Up next, the French Christine Phung’s collection stepped on the runway as she showcased her ski-themed collection suitable for the freezing cold weather. Woollen sweaters, pants, skirts, leggings etc with a geometrical patch work, gave the feminine edge to the entire collection. Bright oranges, reds, blacks and blue were the ones among the varying colour range.

Following Phun, the Indonesian Tex Saverio came with his collection which spoke volumes. His show gave an embezzling view as the models dressed in goldens, blacks and shimeery yellows walked on the wooden floored ramp, with a crystal clear background.

Ending the evening was Pascal Millet with a comparatively sober and former collection among other designers. The collection included some full length dresses which were simple, yet glamorous.

All embracing, Day 1 ended on a good note among the audience.

Day 2:

The second day of the fashion week was equipped with the collections of designers like Christopher Lemaire as the curtain raiser, following who were Damir Doma, Guy Laroche, Yang Li, Dries Van Noten, Alexis Mabille, Rochas, Gareth Pugh, Undercover and Vionnet.

Speaking of the eye catchers, Damir Doma showcased a visually dark collection in contrasting colours. The dresses included full length woollen gowns, woollen sweaters paired with full length and three quarter length pants, long skirts and dresses. The colour scheme remained limited within the precepts of black, dark brown and navy blue.

Guy Laroche came in next with his extremely pairs of formal with an additional feminine edge added to each of them. Elegant long coats, transparent polka dot tops and dresses with a skin fabric, and tops paired with knee length skirts dominated the collection. A variable colour scheme included sky blue, beige, glossy black and grey.

Summing up, the Belgian designer Dries Van Noten stepped in with his rainbow coloured collection of the evening. Apart from the unique implementation of colours, Dries’ employe some ample amount of tailoring in his long skirts and dresses. With a creative stripes print on the uppers, the collection also included a furry coat, and a neon orange flower print, black dress.

Day 3:

After the two fashion-filled days of the Paris fashion Week, the third day came up with designers like Carven, SharunWauchob, Nina Ricci, Rick Owens and Balmain to name a few.

Carven this year’s collection included a number of short length straight fitted dresses. Where on one hand one of the dresses included the extremely stylish animal print long skirt paired with a long coat, he also had a an elegant furry beige coloured coat with a white tee withing, coupled with a thigh high boots, adding the required grace to the look.

Next, the Irish Sharun Wauchob showcased a collection which was plain, black and showy altogether. However, the long grey fur coat took away all the attraction of the onlookers. Among the other pieces, a see through, flower embroidered black top paired with an equally black trouser served to be the most appreciated dress among the audience.

Finally, the creative Balmain with a collection which outshined among all the other collection showcased at the fashion week. The glamour in his dresses could be view through his unique embellishments of the leopard, zebra and giraffe prints over his creations. A creatively knit, web-knecked red hot dress was the pre dominant attraction. Others included a similar fashioned bright yellow dress, and a black leather jacket paired with a skinny black dress and boots. All in all, the mirror runway bought out the best in Balmain for the evening.

Sonaakshi Raaj, will unveil a glamorous collection, Broadway Affair, on 15th March at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2014.

Drawing inspiration from the surreal Broadway dance, the fusion of ballet, jazz and modern, the collection consists of fabrics like satin, georgettes, along with appealing racy structured silhouettes and flirty cuts. Intricate texturing and styles in fascinating solid and bright pop palette like white, black, champagne, peaches.

Focus has been on the multiform layering and draping, depicting fluid dance forms with opulent chunky, encrusted stone work with embroidery detailing to add a royal appeal to this collection.