Kavita’s tribute to weavers

Designer Kavita Bhartia paid a tribute to Indian weavers through her collection at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW). Her collection titled ‘Kaleidoscope’ was completely dedicated to the Indian weavers and their craftsmanship. She believes that India has such a strong culture and exclusivity in designs, that nobody can match it. Amidst mesmerizing Rajasthani folk music by snake charmers clad in white chicken kurtas and saffron turbans she created magic with her designs on the ramp.

The spring/summer collection was manifest in the designer’s perception of a visual landscape in a harmonious blend of the indigenous with modernity. In its amalgamation of old-school craftsmanship in technique with influences from Persian motifs and Russian architecture in taste, the collection proposed novelty. She presented a gamut of silhouettes which varied from jumpsuits, ponchos, tunics, long dresses and gowns in colors like turquoise, yellow, frost grey, purple, red and other earthy tones. The designer chose to use fabrics like georgette, ikat, zardozi and chiffon. The multi-hued attire of North African tribal society was made visible in fashion when folkloric motifs combined with shades of spicy browns and camouflaged neutrals to mark a sense of royalty.

Draped tunics, balloon skirts, long dresses, jumpsuits and tiered skirts attained an ethnic significance while being tastefully assertive with multi-sized patchwork prints and silhouettes redefining the dressing of a modern woman. Model Lisa Haydon added the Bollywood factor as the showstopper. Lisa walked the ramp in a satin lycra dress with feminine drapes.

As all the garments were handcrafted, embroidery played a major role in bringing out the intricate patterns that the designer aimed to showcase in her cocktail-like collection. Dori embroidery done on flared kurtas, detailed threadwork on scarves that accompanied crinkled long dresses, cut-work embroidery on ponchos and pintuck tunics were some featured examples of its usage.