Lakme Fashion Week, Mumbai

Lakme razzmatazz

 

The Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai was in news more because of the wrong reasons rather than what it was intended for – showcasing Indian fashion before the world.

 

Wardrobe malfunction became the buzz of this year's first Lakme Fashion Week, which kick-started with much glitz and glamour at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) at Marine Drive, a favourite haunt for Mumbaikars. The series of incidents kept everyone guessing whether they was done intentionally or were just accidents. But one thing was for sure, the media had a hey day, cashing in to boost their ratings.

From this year onwards, Mumbai has got its fashion week of its own, in which top designers displayed their exotic creations before the glitterati and fashion aficionados.

Unlike the Delhi fashion week, no designer from the North-East figured in the five-day event. The lone exception was Dipannita Sharma, who walked the ramp with other topnotch models. She looked ravishing on the ramp, complementing the attires in her perfect figure. She did 12 shows. Her favourites were Sabyasachi, Ashish N Soni, Savio Jon, et al.

Day 1

Fashion Week regular Rocky S was the first to present his designs, the theme of which was 'Lovely Lolitas'. He kept on the dazzle razzle, which multiplied hundredfold with the presence of heartthrob John Abraham. There were sequins, lots of black, metallic and leather jackets, flouncing skirts, et al. The silhouettes were easy and body flattering. Stress was laid on styling and surface texturing. Sangeeta Bijlani and Azharuddin were seen at his show.

Surily Goel 's show was a hit with Bollywood's who's who cheering her designs from the front row. Priety Zinta and Amrita Arora came attired in Surily's beaded frocks. Akshay Kumar, Twinkle, Karan Johar, Ness Wadia, Gauri Khan, Dino Morea, Raima Sen, Chunky Pandey, Arbaz Khan, Neetu Singh, Sanjay Kapoor, Ritesh Deshmukh, Farah Khan were among the spectators. It was a star-studded event with Neelam opening the show, Malaika walking the ramp and Salman Khan ending it in his usual happy-go-lucky style catwalk. Bright reds, flaming oranges and electric blues conquered. Rose being the central theme, it was a fusion of print, embroidery and accessory. It seemed as if the stars has descended down for the designer's debut show. And why not, Surily was trained under Manish Malhotra before becoming a designer herself.

In both Surily and Manish's shows, it seemed as the entire film city was celebrating a day off.

Delhi's Anshu Sen made a comeback after two years. She had Mrs Amir Khan sitting at the front row. Halters, fitted jackets, skirts, flowing dresses comprised major part of his collection.

Kajol and Preity walked the ramp for their favourite Manish Malhotra. He presented an all-white for the first time, all-crochet-and-lace-line called Freedom with a hint of Sufism. Karishma Kapur was looking hot in her perfect figure. Page 3 people lined up in full force. Jaya Bachhan, Kiron Kher, Diya Mirza, Anil Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, Sridevi. Bobby Deol added to the Bollywood glitz.

Day 2

Bennu Sehgal and Meheka Puri complemented each other's lines together. With Sushma Reddy's graceful catwalk, Meheka's show opened to a great start. Dipannita Sharma just looked awesome. Koena Mitra was a show-stopper in an aqua choli edged in gold crochet and embroidered ghagra. Arbaaz Khan scorched the ramp as he walked for Bennu. Bennu herself came gaudily dressed, unlike other designers. The first wardrobe malfunction happened in this show. While walking down the ramp for designer Bennu Sehgall, model Carol Gracias' halter-neck outfit came undone, and fell to her waist. But she proved to be a hardcore professional as her face did not betray her shock even for a second. She held the top back up, finished the walk, turned and left.

Sonam Dubai 's creations were a neat blend of eastern influences and Indian and European sensibilities. His Cosmic Romance comprised of earth tones, leafy greens, dull rusts, neutral creams and lots of black.

Priyadarshini Rao 's collection comprised gentle wallflower prints and marshallow colours in casual separates that ranged from Rs 650 to 2,000.

Wendell Rodricks brought out confections in linen, crinkly cotton, organza and crushed silk. It was a superbly crafted collection for both men and women.

Day 3

With discharge prints, almost invisible embroidery, handsome weaves and jacquards in colours of the earth, Sabyasachi Mukherjee's story was one of contrasting volume and a morbid colour palette. His collections were one of the most talked about. Rani Mukherjee, Rahul Bose, Koena Mitra formed a fantastic Bengali bond on the front row.

The second wardrobe malfunction happened at Lascelle Symons' show when former Miss India Gauhar Khan's had to struggle with an open zip on the back of her skirt.

Mandira Wirk showcased her designs together with Lascelle, where Neha Dhupia walked in dressed like a character from a costume drama. Key silhouettes of her collection were shirt dresses, layered and tired skirts, cuffed shorts, corseted T-shirts, glamourised pants and cargos, et al. Model Mahek Chahel was almost the third victim of wardrobe malfunction — she hung on to her top, which kept slipping down.

Some people came strangely dressed but were not looking cool at all. In the Wendell Rodricks show, Rohit Verma was seen in calendar art and his signature dress bells round his neck. Deepika Padukone made her unique appearance for Rodricks.

Suneet Verma brought with him a mixed bag. He had his signature stretch, sheer churidars with fitted kurtis, dressy resort wear whites and a light brown and black line. Models Tinna and Jesse Randhawa just managed to keep Suneet's creations in place and fortunately for them, and unfortunately for the media, no malfunction took place.

Ashish N Soni designs were an assemblage of blacks, charcoals, cement whites and dull blues in ruffled sleeved shirts, pleated skirts, long coats etc.

Day 4

Arjun Saluja's label Rishta presented a chic line of soft and structured ensembles of trouser suits, safari dresses, jackets and coats. In another near goof-up, model Ujjwala Raut valiantly held her strapless gown.

Dev R Nil made an impressive debut. Their loungey silhouettes were inspired from all that is old and new in Kolkata. These two put together a bohemian line.

Katrina Kaif was part of the Lakme Happy Hours looking stunning. Asked if she was at the show because Salman was part of the show, she replied: "I am the face of Lakme, so I am here."

Designer Nandita Mahtani is considered one the most stylish in Mumbai, better known for her boutique Ananya. Again, an array of Bollywood stars assembled to cheer her -- Pooja Bhat, Dino Morea, Tara Sharma, Zayed Khan, Rahul Dev, et al. Her collection focused on cuts and fabrics and avoided heavy embellishments. Sexy Mehr Jessia walked the ramp after a long time for Nandita. Dipannita looked stunning in colourful outfits. People were dressed in their best both in the ramp and off it.

Narendra Kumar Ahmed's show was different from all. An associate member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), he got a rejection letter for the FDCI fashion week in Delhi. Thus he called his line of clothing Protest, which had models walking in with bandaged lips and no music. It was a success as the spectators paid more attention to the details of his designs, which featured individually handcrafted pieces, employing quilting appliqué and processing of fabrics.

Falguni and Shane Peacock dedicated their collection in luxurious colours, exaggerated embellishments, shimmery stones and fluttering hems. Model Tina Bergsdottir grappled with a bustier dress and saved herself from embarrassment in front of the full media glare.

Day 5

Anupama Dayal had Indian motifs of elephants and flowers, painted and block printed, on to the ankle grazing crinkled and pleated skirts in cotton and silk.

Shahzad Kalim's collection had bright sequined skirts, bustiers, furred georgette dresses, halters. Then there were embroidered tops in satin, suede, chiffon and lace. His models sashayed with calf length boots and coloured glares.

Savio Jon presented dressing loungey cocktail wear in shapeless styles that redefined easy dressing like balloon skirts, ruffled dresses, empire gowns, et al.

Azeem Khan used props like umbrellas, flower baskets, wrought iron lamps with dry autumn leaves strewn over it.

Suneet Verma's Tuscan Verve was an all men's show. He personally supervised the hair and make-up of the models. This show was a treat for the women spectators with all the hunky male models on the ramp.

The curtains of the Lakme Fashion Week came down with the Grand Finale of Ritu Beri. Katrina Kaif opened the show and her beau Salman Khan was sitting in the front row. Rani Mukherjee came to cheer veteran Ritu. Detailed embroidery was seen in her collection.

Some of the models were Shonal Rawat, Sonal Chauhan, Karishma Kotak, Upen Patel, Mark Tony, Prashant Rak, et al.

It wouldn't have been a better platform for six fresh designers like Bhawna Yadav, Deepti Toor, Leena Wadhwa, Rahul Mishra, Samar Firdoz and Swapnil Shinde. They proved to be very confident and creative. Though they got chance to showcase only 12 outfits, their designs definitely looked promising.

Prominent domestic and international buyers and media from around the world were seen at the fashion week. All the hype and glitter also got translated into serious business for the actual stars of the show, the designers.

Show directors were Selina Robson, Marc Robinson and Ahuja. Clint Fernandez and Vipul Bhagat were make-up and hair stylists.

The presence of the Bollywood brigade only showed how the fashion world and the film world are becoming interdependent.