By Nivedita
New Delhi, July 14 (IANS): Fashion Design Council of India's (FDCI) six-day India Couture Week (ICW) is back with yet another edition of glamour and glitz. A line-up of famed designers is ready to mesmerise the style connoisseurs with latest in haute couture, and they promise to explore rich craftsmanship of Indian culture with their designs.
Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week in association with Logix Group will be held at the Taj Palace Hotel here, starting Tuesday. The event will showcase collections of designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who is also the opening name of the event, Rohit Bal, Manish Malhotra and Manish Arora.
“This season promises to be a vibrant celebration of Indian treasures which will get a new-age interpretation by India’s finest couturiers,” said a statement on FDCI's official site.
“The event will see India’s finest couturiers showcasing their collections not only through the runway, but also exclusive fashion presentations, installations and previews, which will enable them to use couture as a canvas to paint their thoughts on,” said a statement on FDCI's official site.
Arora, who is known for psychedelic colours and kitsch motifs in garments that combine traditional Indian crafts with western silhouettes, is going to showcase his latest collection under the brand Indian By Manish Arora.
Titled Kaleidoscope, the designs are divided into six mini collections that take their inspiration from different things.
Another designer, Varun Bahl is going to present a modern version of Indian-wear staples that celebrate India's wealth of traditional crafts.
“The silhouettes for this line-up include the Anarkali, an eternal favourite, the sari, and the lehenga. The anarkali is a key component. The sari also gets a contemporary update in the form of the sari-pant, a mix two classics that becomes something truly modern inspired by India. A selection of traditional lehengas and classic saris completes the lineup,” Bahl told IANS.
The collection will have elements from almost all of his favourite shows: his signature rose motif, dainty appliques in velvet, intricate hand-embroideries achieved in strips of chiffon and gota, interplays between volume and structure, layered looks, and his favourite colours like duck-egg blue, navy, black, ivory, silver and gold, mustard, fuchsia, and pale pink.
Veteran designer Anju Modi is going to showcase a collection titled Manikarnika, an exploration of age-old craft and techniques.
“The embroideries are derived from the architecture, with the paintings of the Ajanta-Ellora caves as perfect muses to the artwork and details,” the designer, who has also roped in Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut to walk for her show, told IANS.
Apart from Kangana, the other Bollywood names who will add a glamour quotient to the fashion gala include actress Huma Qureshi, who will walk as a showstopper for designer-duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula on the final day of the event; Nimrat Kaur and Malaika Arora Khan, who will attend a special preview of designer Rina Dhaka; and Rani Mukerji, who will occupy a front row seat for Sabyasachi's opening show.
The India Couture Week 2014 will also travel to Kolkata, where a special showcasing of designer Anamika Khanna's installation will take place July 27.