Festive mood despite fewer celebs

Festive mood coupled with a maddening rush, a jam packed hall, and the front rows dotted with a few from the movie business including Kareena Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali marked the end of the second day of Lakme Fashion Week.

Festive mood coupled with a maddening rush, a jam packed hall, and the front rows dotted with a few from the movie business including Kareena Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali marked the end of the second day of Lakme Fashion Week with a showing by Manish Malhotra. Using embroidery techniques from Kashmir and a fair sprinkle of chikankari works on the surface, the designer presented a collection that was high on appeal and energy. While his interpretation for men was more structured, he opted to keep plenty of volume for his women.

Young Masaba Gupta, with legendary father Vivian Richards and mother Nina by the aisle, took a bow on the runway after presenting a collection full of checks, dots and stripes in the company of vibrant colours. Her collection was innovative, and like the designer herself, very young in appeal. Shrivan & Narresh on the other hand had a subdued colour palette in comparison and their well-made collection included bikinis (who else in India can make it better than them?), dresses, body suits and kaftans.

Masaba Gupta

In the other shows, Chennai-based Vivek Karunakaran came out with his creations, especially in whites, with interesting surfaces that were fresh in their appeal. Jatin Varma, who was one of my favourites last season, was bit of a let down for me this time. His collection looked repetitive in different colours, and its overall finishing too looked a bit doubtful.

Other shows included Jelin George (fitted skirts with full length zipper back closures were interesting), Pam & Arch London (totally wearable thus saleable western wear) and Sabbah Sharma (interesting mix of pieces sewn together to make outfits).