And another Week’s gone by

On Day 5 of the Gitanjali-sponsored Lakme Fashion Week everyone looked relaxed and content of the week.
The regulars and the organizers become somewhat a family by this time. Celebration comes from the fact that phenomenal business was done, and that is what sets the week apart from a just social event.
Fern Mallis the lady from IMG New York who along with Ravi Krishnan helped replicate the international standard of a fashion week and first took the concept to Lakme, said, ���India has arrived.The new designers are super talented and I am more impressed every season.���
Vikram Raizada who is head of fashion in IMG was pleased as punch. ���The LFW has always been the leading fashion platform for the hottest designers. It is now also the biggest. We have received great feedback,��� he proudly stated.
I was impressed with the Gaba collection. The layered tunics with pleated yokes worn over dresses or calf length shorts were representative of working women in a French countryside. Fine and delicate embroidery on the borders of chanderis added to the grace of the clothes. Babita showed off her ���Coralien��� collection representing marine life. We saw more of algae and sea anemones on free flowing garments fastened at the waist.
It was encouraging to see a designer who is able to recycle and reinvent the same look again and not get stuck in a rut. Sabyasachi is one of the few designers who stays within the parameters of what he believes and does not veer far, succumbing to any other kind of pressure. His Bridal Sutra collection had an old world charm which he brought out as the finale of the week, almost saying, ���You have seen fashion at its frivolous best now let me introduce to you what luxury and serious fashion is about.��� The Patola, which a dying craft, was fine enough to pass off as Jamevar. The men���s Achkans were pieces of priceless art. His clothes were future heirlooms and timeless. He reminded us that real luxury really stems from within our own country.
So the week closed on a successful note. I noticed that anything passed on the ramp. From roses and ruffles to chains and studded bras. From leather to chiffon. From structured to free flowing garments. From futuristic to retro and from frivolous to serious fashion. Cowl necks were seen in a big way. Orange inspired by marmalade, coral or whatever else was predominant. Blue and purple were hot. Glittering metallic fabric is still doing the rounds, which I am grateful for! Embroidery seems to be creeping back although texturization was big. I did miss seeing lace, though, which has made a big comeback in the west.
I loved Tarun���s tribute to disco, the men���s clothes on menswear day, matt finish sequin by Bian, the sequin minis by Vikram Phadnis, a spin into Las Vegas by Rakesh Agarwal, timeless luxury by Sabyasachi, Shaimak���s power to enthrall the audience and Lakme���s pasty glittery lipstick! What I didn���t love were the show stoppers who one did not even recognize or the ones who wobbled on the ramp. The audience would look at each other with a quizzical look as if to say ���who in the world is that?��� For God���s sake let���s not have them! A lot of foreign models were introduced. The Bollywood stars shone and performed on the ramp this time. There was a tight fight of supremacy between the two white brides Sonam and Priyanka.
Great new initiatives were introduced like the Accessory show, Menswear Day and an Art Studio. LFW remains a great platform for new designers. Anybody with talent and a drive is recognized and welcome, regardless of caste, creed and background!