FDCI India Couture Week: Royal finale with bling, glamour

Designer Rohit Bal acknowledges the applause beside models wearing his creations at the end of his show at the India Couture Week 2016 in New Delhi on Sunday night. (Photo: Bunny Smith)

The FDCI India Couture Week came to an end with two grand shows featuring ace designers Manav Gangwani and Rohit Bal.

Couturier Manav Gangwani launched his new label, “Manav Gangwani India”, with his collection, “Begum-e-Jannat”, taking inspiration from the intricacy of the Mughal era and the royal age. With specially curated music by Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, the models walked down the ramp wearing garments created of luxurious silk velvet, sheer gauzy tissue, regal silk and tulle sprinkled with shimmering mirror work. Talking about the collection, Manav said, “Over the years, I have always added a modern twist to the silhouettes in my couture collections. The couture industry has significantly evolved over the past years. I think it is important that we keep this evolution constant.”

The designer showcased 70 handcrafted silhouettes that captured the Mughal era effortlessly with flowing kaftans, intricately designed lehengas, flamboyant saris and classic sherwani in shades of ivory, black, navy, green, maroon and white. “Nowadays, consumers have a penchant for innovative designs and silhouettes. This makes it very important for Indian couturiers to constantly inspire themselves with new and creative concepts,” added the designer.

Actress Kangana Ranaut was the showstopper for the designer and she looked every inch a Mughal empress as she walked the ramp. She wore a beautiful heavily-embroidered lehenga with mirror work maroon choli and dupatta.

The Tanu Weds Manu star walked for the designer for the second time. Talking about his muse, Manav said, “Kangana is a very versatile person and it is easy working with her. She exudes a certain charm and a classic yet modern vibe that sets perfectly with my collection this year.”

Inspired by the grandeur of czarist Russia, Rohit Bal closed the five-day FDCI India Couture Week with his collection “Kehkashaa-nis”.

The collection showcased heavily-embroidered and bejewelled silhouettes featuring floor-sweeping anarkalis, majestic lehengas and dramatic robes to ravishing gowns and elegant Jodhpuri pants and jackets. The colour palette ranged from white, black and wine with heavily embellished motifs of birds and flowers. His signature peacock and lotus motifs in intricate work of gold zardozi and embellishment mesmerised the audience.

The show had his contemporaries like J.J. Valaya, Rohit and Rahul Gandhi and Varun Bahl cheering for him.