Shantanu & Nikhil’s ‘Himalayan’ fantasy

The show was a grand amalgamation of fashion and art when Himalayan presented the ‘Himalayan Couture Collection’ by Shantanu and Nikhil and artwork by top artist Brinda Miller at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014. Models walked the ramp in 39 beautiful creations that enthralled the audience. Super model and dancer, Jesse Randhawa floated in a white will-power textured gown with tantalizing 3D embellishments to end the show.

The Shantanu and Nikhil collection inspired by the colours and charm of the Himalayan waters spoke of rare beauty. Visualised by the majesty and serenity of the Himalayas, the free-spirited but couture line had timeless beauty and elegance. Layering was contemporary with head gears making a striking addition. Offering couture wear, the silhouettes incorporated creative construction and intriguing fabric cut-outs on a colour story that had dramatic grey, white, deep red, blue and black for the luxurious fabrics like chiffon, georgette, tulle and organza.

Moulded silhouettes were in New Age lehengas and Anarkalis, while tone-on-tone draped sari -gowns were regal in form and structure, but cocktail gowns were voluminous as they sailed down the ramp. Opening the show with a tiered tulle will-power gown with antique gold work, the display moved to dramatic creations ideal for cocktail bridal wear. Bronze beaded asymmetric jacket over ruffled ecru skirt, the halter sari-gown, the grey fishtail net gown, and the navy sheath designs created sensation. Moulded and draped cleverly to the curves of the models, the textured rust choli-cum-sari creation, the lehenga with long sleeved choli and the black draped jersey choli gave new options to wedding wear. A printed corset was perfect for the pre-stitched sari, while side lace drapes added that fragile look to the ensembles.

Men’s wear had sharp cuts with an interesting pairing of round skirts for sherwanis, bundgalas, kurtas with bundies, an interesting printed sherwani and a set of side draped kurtas worn with fluid skirts added a new dimension to men’s wear. The final red/black shaded sherwani added the oomph factor.

Brinda Miller’s ‘Himalayanscape’ painting was in abstract style and featured a montage of heaven, clouds, rain, earth, mountains, the forests, rocks and natural reservoirs of water. The painting will be auctioned after the fashion week and the proceeds will go to a charity working in conservation of the Himalayas.