Delhi Couture Week: A mix of style, oomph and glamour

They came, they saw and they were wooed. For all those who witnessed the just concluded Pearls Infrastructure Delhi Couture Week (PI-DCW), it was all about unadulterated indulgence. Designers stole the limelight despite the presence

of Bollywood stars and, made it a treat for fashionistas. While the likes of Rani Mukerji, Vidya Balan, Neha Dhupia, Soha Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Zayed Khan and Aftab Shivdasani chose to watch the shows, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor, Lara Dutta, Kangna Ranaut sashayed down the ramp.

Designer duo Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla concluded the fashion week by showing off their creations, including chikankari and very light embroidered saris, heavily embroidered empire line jackets, smart dresses and free-flowing gowns. The grand finale was truly grand, with Bret Lee and Shweta Bachchan Nanda as the showstoppers.

Nearly 13 designers showcased their creativity during the extravaganza, which saw two shows each day. Seasoned designers kept the tradition of craftsmanship alive with their detailed work and also focused on fusion. The presentations and clothes by both Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Manish Malhotra were all about high volume – both in terms of acoustics and silhouettes. Sabya’s collection, titled ‘Aparajito’ (meaning unvanquished) was part of a specific period in Indian history around the Indian National Movement. Voluminous silhouettes, reminiscent of stately Mughal dressing, with signature Sabya elements like translucent skirts, muted embroidery on cotton completed the look. Manish Malhotra’s clothes were a true testimony to his strengths – glam and color combos. Ensembles in shades of cream, beige and autumn were prominent.

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Anamika Khanna, Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta, JJ Valaya, Manav Gangwani, Pallavi Jaikishan, Raakesh Agarvwal, Rina Dhaka, Rohit Bal, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Suneet Varma and Varun Bahl – were some of the others who showcased their creations.

While Gaurav Gupta’s show was a tale of fairy creatures from an underwater world, and the fishtail silhouettes; Manav Gangwani’s was inspired by the 1960 classic ‘An Affair to Remember’. True to Gangwani’s distinctive style, the entire collection was exquisitely embroidered with Indian motifs, rich workmanship and lavish use of Swarovski.

Most of Rohit Bal’s ensembles in the collection were in light shades and the show ended with four installation ensembles. But, the highlight clearly was Bal’s and the models’ dip in the pool! Anamika Khanna’s couture line was a mix of Indian crafts set against a background of global silhouettes that transcended bridal. And in a tribute to the enigmatic, flamboyant mystique of Imperial Russia, Varun Bahl’s collection was based on the Romanov era.

Six designers also opted to show their work through installations off the ramp. Ekru by Ekta & Ruchira, Geisha designs by Paras & Shalini, Jaya Rathore, Monapali, Reynu Taandon and Puneet Nanda of the Satya Paul label -- displayed special installations.