Arora’s fiery’ WIFW finale

Returning to the show after four years, ace designer Manish Arora pulled the curtains down at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013 amid loud cheers, live international band performances and models’ impromptu gigs on the ramp. He chose to introduce futuristic designs inspired from his last visit to ‘Burning Man’ festival in Nevada.

The sparkling collection, a blend of Indian and western outfits with multi-coloured embroideries got a standing ovation from the audience, which comprised of Bollywood beauty and fashionista Sonam Kapoor cheering from the front row.

Sequin-embroidered peplum and balloon dresses, fitted pants and pencil skirts in abstract geometrical patterns with neon rays, over-sized tops and coats radiating Arora’s trademark cutting-edge design, and a host of knitted dresses with straight pleats and lurex sweaters displayed his expert craftsmanship in the art. Models in leather turbans sashayed down the ramp to the beats of the live Toca (a kind of drum) wearing trench coats, jackets with Mandarin collars and smart knitwear. Multi-coloured embellishments glittered on cuffs, collars and belts comprised 3D structures created with rexine, beads and metal chains.

The Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW), is a bi-annual fashion week organized and promoted by the Fashion Design Council of India and sponsored by Wills Lifestyle. 125 leading and young designers from across the country took part in the fashion show.