At the upcoming LFW SR 2014 Swapnil Shinde will astound the fashion aficionados with yet another season of uber modish, eccentric collection named aptly ‘An affair to remember’.

Travelling back in time to an era of glamour, elegance, and pure beauty, Swapnil takes cue from the romantic movies of the 50s Hollywood. The collection is characterized by interesting neutral colour palette in hues of beige, egg shell, jet black, mustard, berry and slate blue to create signature silhouettes.

Ranging from immaculately crafted voluminous structured silhouettes with emphasis on backs and shoulders. The creations are fluffy and light as air with some restriction and bondage through cinched waists with Specially crafted and embellished shoes.

Fabrics range from traditional Maharashtrian saree weave Paithani in antique gold and orange borders with geometrical peacock form prints giving a chic twist . Embroidery in geometrical formations using glass, PVC, organza glass nylon is used to fuse sensual compositions.

Day 3:

The third day of the very sparkling Milan fashion week unveiled the latest collections of the finest brands existent like Genny, Emporio Armani, Blumarine, Iceberg, Etro, Sportmax, Aigner, Tod S, Les Copains, Bottega Veneta, Versace and Luisa Beccaria.

Greeting the onlookers was Blumarine. The collection seemed appropriately fashioned night wear. Ranging from coats and trousers to the short, above knee-length dresses, Blumarine displayed a lot of glossiness and glitters. The colour range varied from blacks with golden embroideries/prints to glittery prints on sea greens, whites and beiges. Among others, a visible amount of fur had been used for the long coats, jackets and dress sleeves.

Emporio Armani followed on a sky blue ramp. Black being the dominant colour in the collection contrasts with whites, sea blues and greys. A mix and match of formal, causal and party wear, the Armani included everything from formal coats and trousers to long skirts paired with full slleved blouses, long coats, above knee length dresses etc.

The day passed with Sportmax showcasing its unique and stylish collection of animal prints and silhouettes in the afternoon. Among the other major highlights of day 3, Versace was the shining bright as the day fell. In harmony with the bling of the night, Versace unveiled its latest collection, an exclusive party wear. Sexy dresses, classy coats and formal dresses, Versace gave a new essence to the femininity in women. Eye catching factor laid in the colour range, which varied from hot red to sky blue, form shiny blacks to classy whites. Thus, ended day 3.

Day 4:

The fourth day of the fashion week was a battle among minimalist fashionistas like Roberto Cavalli, Ermanno Scervino, Au jour le jour, Gabriele Colangelo, Cividini, Antonio Marras, Emilo Pucci, Aquilano Rimondi, Jil Sander and Uma wang.

This time, Uma Wang came up with a never seen before traditional pieces of long gowns, choghas and skirts paired with blouses, coats etc. The colour range varied from blacks and beiges to reds and maroons. If one looks for comfort and individuality, Uma Wang is the one for her!

Following which was Jil Sander’s formal wear on a crystal white ramp. Catwalking the run way were models dressed up below knee length straight fit silhouettes, long and short coats and trousers etc. Jil symbolized elegance through each piece of her creativity.

In a similar fashion, the other designers unveiled their respective style statements for the upcoming seasons. However, the star highlights included Amanda Lear front row at Roberto Cavalli, the Agnona presentation and Isabeli Fontana, Peter Dundas and Izabel Goulart backstage at Emilio Pucci. At the end of the day, people eagerly awaited the last day of the much enjoyed fashion week.

Seven unique dresses, fashion jewels inspired by a floral metalica, comprised the Haute Couture Collection by ALFREDO VILLALBA SS 14, the luxury brand Made in Spain that redefines the aesthetic concepts related to HauteCouture.

Antagonistic concepts, seal of the Couture House, flowers and metal come together in a fashion collage. Portraits enhancing the shape of women, veiled by transparencies, of tulle, of lace, with long dresses spread kissing the floor and short dresses bloom into subtle leggings with shoes covered in delicate floral motifs.

Madrid Fashion Week:

Sobriety, harmony and femininity without excess in balanced garments, serenity with a swift look to the 70s was Angel Schlesser’s collection at Madrid Fashion week.

A-line silhouettes combine with wider volumes, constructing a very casual and contemporary image. Dresses with maxi scarves, long-sleeved tops, masculine trousers, wide and straight, delicate blouses and silk gowns embroidered by hemstitch on cuffs and necklines.

Wool crepe, tweed, viscose crepe, silk georgette, mohair, silk crepe and silk twill prevail in the fabrics with graphic, small and subtle polka dots, in patterns.

Taking inspiration from Halcyon days of summer, muse of Farah Sanjana’s collection are the Flamingoes from France.
Using fabrics like flowy georgette, sensuous silk crepe, soft net and stretch elastane, designer aptly transforms them into formal chic to flowy romantic silhouettes in forms of bikini tops, crop tops, flowy skirts, cigarette pants, palazzo pants, short dresses, sheer cover ups and saris which can be worn from sunrise to sunset.

The hues range from light orange and sky blue to a vibrant hot pink and bright orange embellished with studs, eyelets and thin chains as harnesses. Exquisitely designed metal accessories and leather belts accentuates each creation in a statement of bold and unconventional elegance

Day 2:

After the mesmerizing day 1 of the Milan Fashion Week, Day 2 came on to surprise its fan some latest styling and fashion trends. Showcasing the collections were the exorbitant brands like Ports 1961, Moschino, Daniela Gregis, Prada, Cristiano Buran, Krizia, Just Cavalli, Costume national, Fendi, Max Mara, Blugirl, and Andrea Incontri.

The star highlights of the evening included Prada, which curated an exclusive formation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s ‘Lola’, a collection inspired by the traditional ‘80s. It was an outshining range of furs, long coats catering to bi-gender needs, dress knitted in see-through chiffon fabric, all replete in colours like black, red, yellow and brown.

Fendi came in next with Karl Lagerfeld showcasing his new fondness of furs. The collection was an experimenting blend of furry coats and dresses, astonishingly feminine baby pink coat and a top, tuxedo necked tops with long skirts and many more.

Roberto Cavalli, the enthusiast followed the runway with his Just Cavalli, inspired by Florence’s artistic treasures. A gullible attempt to transform the art into the wardrobe, Robert displayed a collection filled with printed tops, dresses, blingy jackets and printed pants. A surprisingly Florentine detailed collection achieved a remarkable response among the onlookers.

Max Mara stepped in next with its English countryside inspired collection, on white runway and a white sparkling light. A mix and match of the cozy and the urban, the collection represented what women searched for dressing up at their comfort best and styling best. The colour range went in harmony with the countryside preferences of olive greens, black and greys. It was a basic collection of coats, vests and knit wear to give a metropolitan edge to the knee length skirts and trousers.

Finally, the crème de la crème included the Australian actress grabbing the front row seat to experience Max Mara at its best, and the popular singer Katy Perry walking the runway for Moschino. Thus concluded the second day of the Milan Fashion Week.

Day 1:
The much awaited Milan Fashion Week is back with the world’s leading designers to enthrall the stylists and the fashionistas with their latest collections, foot-wears and accessories. One of the largest fashion weeks of the world, Milan this year included luxury brands like Gucci, Fay, No. 21 and Versus among others. The shows started on an exuberant note with a glimpse of the sixties, influence of the nature and many more.

To start with, Frida Giannini attempted to take a playful step with her brand. Where for the usual, Gucci has its fame for the fine quality evening wear; Frida creatively introduced a day-wear at the fashion week. The colour range went fairly dull within the realm of light pinks, olive greens and formal blues. In justification to the belief of the curator, the dresses were seemingly simple, with models walking on flat boots and slippers on the run way. Keeping it extremely feminine and delicate, the furry coats, sleek waist line and knee length dresses and the forever glamorous animal prints, Gucci’s collection for the evening were for the plain, simple and the real chics.

Next in the line was the very dynamic Alberta Ferratti. An inspired by nature artist, the collection was in harmony with her love and admiration for nature. The colour range obviously flowed between leafy greens to woody browns. Uniquely textured and furry knee lengths dresses, floral combinations and flats on the feet, the collection gave delusionary effects to the onlookers about the warmth, beauty and the colours of nature and its elements.

Fausto Puglisi was the one joining in next. The designer’s passion and enthusiasm was clearly visible through his collection. The collection was a desperate display of combination of different colours, in various different patterns and geometrical shapes. From printed tees and pants, to full sleeved knee length embroidered dresses graced by beautiful heels on the ramp, Puglisi’s effort to be flirty and showcase blitz was a dire success.

Here’s the love for simplicity designer, Brunello Cucinelli, artistically naming his collection as ‘Less and more.’ The collection appeared to be extremely formal clothing where Brunello plays with materials and shapes. An implementation of the intense fabric like cashmere for the coats, mink for the sweatshirts, and glossy leather for the pants with a sparkling top over, ‘Less and more’ proved to be a name, apt for the collection.

Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi joined in with ‘Fay’. An eclectic mix of glossy reds, sky blues, navy blues, blacks and whites, the pieces were an anytime wear, ranging from printed sweaters, leather jackets and furry coats to short above knee-length dresses and funky skirts.

‘Real life with a touch of magic’ was how Alessandro Dell’Acqua described his brand ‘No. 21.’ Individuality of the collection lay in the masculinity of its tailoring. An exclusive collection of long coats, below knee length beige dresses, red and blue glittered off shoulders and a one of a kind furry below knee length long coat, Alessandro succeeded in expressing his love for elegance in styling.

Before the curtain fell, Versus stepped in to showcase an exclusive range of men’s and women’s wear. Meeting the demands of the office goers, lawyers, and doctors etc. who search for styling, excitement and experimentation with their boring formals, the collection was a unique range of beige, black and brown short and long coats, trousers and sexy short dresses. Fabrics included fine leather and baroque prints. The collection was distinctively unique from the others showcased at the fashion week and left the onlookers surprisingly happy and mesmerized.

Saturday February 22, designers Mirko and Diego’s label Au Jour Le Jour will make its debut at the Armani Teatro, during Milan Women’s Fashion Week.

>>I like the way in which today’s young designers seek to establish themselves, says, Giorgio Armani, in his support for young talent. Au jour le jour is a collection that the duo Mirko and Diego were able to promote, above all, through social networks. I hope that my support is a good omen», he further adds. Last year the Armani Theatre hosted shows for Andrea Pompilio, Stella Jean and Julian Zigerli.

Au Jour Le Jour, label founded in 2010, by Mirko Fontana and Diego Marquez. Fontana, was a marketing manager for a Swiss multinational, while Marquez studied architecture and was a sales manager for a women’s fashion label. Hailing from two different backgrounds they created an original label which is recognizable for its fresh pop influence and mix of references to urban culture. Finalists in the 2011 edition of Who Is On Next, their collections have attracted increasing interest from international buyers and the press in just a few years.

Glamour meets stylishness this season as Shehla Khan presents her new spring summer collection for Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2014.

Reminiscent of the early 70’s and drawing inspiration from the iconic Ali Macgraw, her collection is a mélange of western and Indian ensembles in Voluptuous fabrics with bolder embroideries, embellished exquisitely in silver and gold.

As Shehla explains, “My inspiration came from the actress Ali Macgraw, a typical American girl with a young and free spirit who suddenly hit super stardom overnight with her films and marriage to Steve Mcqueen. Her original style turned her into a fashion icon overnight with every girl wanting to look like her in the early 70s.

For the forthcoming Lakme Fashion Week Payal Singhal presents the story of a woman living a life on her terms, is intelligent, modern, elegant, French and living in Marrakech.

Her Spring Summer collection called lady Sahara is inspired by the French Moroccan culture and architecture of the period when the French occupied Morocco. It is an ode to the cultural crossroad of Marrakech, the shapes and the grace of Islamic architecture.

The collection done in tulle, linen and silk in muted colors of sand, grey, rose and pale blue is a modern interpretation of a bygone era. The intricate patterns of Moroccan filigree work are incorporated in detailed embroidery in beaten silver, gold and salmon “Kora”. The modern contemporary silhouettes reference the austerity of the time and the rich elaborate textures and cultures of the local land.