I was in India about three weeks ago and I am itching to go back. As we all know India is rich in population, pollution and oh man, is the driving an experience! Even with the cows chillin’ in the middle of the street – Indian fashion is no holds bar! Every aspect of India and its culture inspires creativity. Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) showcases this ingenuity on the ramp! This summer, fashion from the designers inspires unique look to factor in the various personalities and styles. Find the one that speaks to your inner love for fashion!
Love vibrant colours, larger than life florals and overall glam? Check out designs by Anupama Dayal and Kanika Saluja, who will definitely have pieces that catch your eye. Dayal’s collection “Gulabi” lit the ramp on fire at Wills India Fashion Week. Floral patterns create a feminine mystique perfect for the summer. From crop tops with bell bottoms to flowy skirts and maxi dresses, this line has it all. Bright pinks and subtle oranges dominated Dayal’s collection.
Dayal explained her inspiration to media, “The print story is flowers – folk flowers from Central Asia – inspired by a feeling of celebration. I don’t like the traditional heavy embroidery lehnga choli. When an Anupama girl gets married, she goes to a beach with flowers in her hair – very free spirited, connected to her roots, she is very relevant in any part of the world.”
On the other hand, Kanika Saluja’s summer collection very fittingly is called “Anaikka” and is all about the bling! The loud colours, sequins, mirrors and jewels scream summer glam at its best. Saluja’s “Anaikka” collection celebrates the all encompassing independent woman, who is feminine and yet androgynous.
Another favourite from Wills was Pallavi Mohan’s collection “Not So Serious,” which showcased a variety of dresses that are seriously street chic with subtle colours and lace overdress to add a little texture. You can dress it up with ankle boots or dress it down with flip flops – either way it’s a summer winner!
Summer evokes feelings of love and bliss! For traditional elegance, Manish Malhotra is definitely your man! Malhotra unveiled his line “A Summer Affair” (how perfectly fitting) at this year’s Lakme Fashion Week. He plays with various shades of pink, pastel blue, beige, navy, grey and ivory. The focus this summer is print on print, embroidery on embroidery and tone on tone to create a romance of colours and textures – all present in Malhotra’s “summer affair.” His collection showcases a romance between Indian tradition and Western edge. Highlighting zip saris, summer skirt lehengas with pockets, dress-styled kurtas and slim pants, all adding to the collection’s edgy nature. The intricate details, the elegance in lace are a Manish Malhotra trademark. Malhotra talks about his new line, “‘A Summer Affair’ is influenced by the romanticism that exists in today’s day and age – where layers and boundaries are surpassed – the young in love are distracted and are expressing their individuality. Summer 2014 for me is about the feelings and emotions this modern day romance evokes.” Talk about love at first sight!
Summer trademark look – design duo Shivan & Narresh have created innovative swimwear, more specifically their landmark ‘bikini sari,’ creating a buzz not only in India, but across the globe. This design has the sensuality of the sari, while showcasing the boldness of a bikini. The bikini saris are also destination friendly – pockets to carry your sunscreen when at the beach. Hello destination wedding! The materials showcased in the collection are flowy and fun – a hit on the WIFW runway. Their collection celebrates art in its own form – the body. The duo used strategically placed slashes to reveal skin in just the right places to create its own design.
This summer, you can be wild and glamorous, fun and flirty or chic and elegant. Pick your poison and don’t be afraid to fall head over heels! This summer love is in the air!
