Gangwani's romance with crystals

Designer Manav Gangwani showcased his crystal-loaded collection "An Autumn Sonata" on the third day of the event.

Designer Manav Gangwani's crystal-loaded collection at the HDIL India Couture Week served to romance a woman's imagination with its sensuous and surreal, and classic yet contemporary appeal.

Gangwani showcased his collection - "An Autumn Sonata" - on the third day of the event in Mumbai, late on Thursday. "My collection essays the feelings that are evoked by the word autumn," Gangwani said after the show. "This collection epitomises the essence of every woman. It is a perfect mix of the classical and the glamorous," he added.

Gangwani had Bollywood actors Karishma Kapoor and Rahul Khanna walk the ramp for him.

Kapoor was donned in a maroon velvet backless suit with detailed zardosi work and Swarovski crystal embellishment all over, while Khanna was in an ivory tanchoi jacket.

Commenting on her attire, Kapoor said: "It's wonderful. I trusted him completely and he kept his best attire for me. He is so young and yet he understands a woman completely."

Gangwani's line was divided into three colour themes.

Whites that depicted serenity dominated the first, reds that depicted whispers of passion dominated the second, and gold that depicted divinity dominated the third.

The collection was a unique combination of yesterday and today and the designer managed to maintain a balance between them with contemporary cuts. "I was inspired by the Mughal era and have tried to incorporate that elegant look in my work," Gangwani told IANS.

The entire collection was loaded with crystals that made each outfit shimmer. The line saw fan blouses, tube tops, corsets and halter necks dominating.

Gangwani also experimented a lot with nets, georgettes, velvets and chiffons. "His collection was absolutely stunning," Bollywood actress Raveena Tondon said. "He must have worked hard on his collection and this is quite visible. His work speaks for himself," she added.

The HDIL India Couture Week is the latest initiative of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), which annually stages two editions of the hugely successful Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) in New Delhi.